Kezia Dugdale had called for changes to be made to give the Scottish party full control over policy making
Scottish Labour has won backing for its plans to become “fully autonomous” amid suggestions leadership contender Owen Smith could win a majority north of the border.
The party’s top decision making body backed demands from leader Kezia Dugdale for her executive to gain responsibility for candidate selection and policy matters.
Party sources believe national leader Jeremy Corbyn’s rival Mr Smith could win a majority of support among Scottish Labour members.
Voting in the leadership ballot closed yesterday, with firebrand Mr Corbyn on course for a resounding victory.
Ms Dugdale said she was “pleased” the changes were approved by Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
She added: “It is right that as devolution strengthens across the UK, Scottish Labour changes to reflect that.
“We took an important step in achieving that.”
Scottish Labour will now have overall responsibility for the management of constituency Labour Parties in Scotland, as well as a specific seat on the NEC.
The changes, which still have to be approved by Labour’s conference next week, will also give Kezia Dugdale free rein on party policy north of the border, including on reserved matters.
