​One of the real strengths of the Scottish Parliament in its early days was the shared desire amongst those who supported its creation that, unlike Westminster, it would seek equal representation for women. The Scottish Labour Party played its part in pursuing that goal by a combination of all-women shortlists and zipped lists – alternating female and male candidates on the party's regional list. 

This article was written by Neil McKay as part of his Big Read series  in the The Herald on 19th July under the title Scottish Labour grandee urges 'King of the North' to rethink indyref2
​"If there’s a guardian of the left-wing flame in the Scottish Labour Party, it’s Pauline Bryan. Speak to any Labour member in Scotland who considers themselves left wing and you’ll hear nothing but praise, respect and admiration for Bryan.

ANDY BURNHAM’S victory at the Makerfield by-election has presented itself as a unique opportunity to inspire hope in the Labour Party and British politics once again. But if this victory is truly to represent the turning point that many hope it can be, Burnham must be prepared to make bold and meaningful decisions that create a vision and tell the story of the hopes and aspirations of a UK Labour government and what it can achieve. A fundamental shift in the party is the only hope of improving its chances of regaining favour with the British electorate.
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