In one of his first acts as Scottish Labour's newly elected leader, Michael Marra has backed the development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields in the North Sea, calling for a "more rational" approach to energy policy, according to reports across national broadcasters and newspapers.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the result was declared, Marra said he would urge Prime Minister Andy Burnham to back both fossil fuel projects despite environmental concerns. "I want Rosebank and Jackdaw to be approved," Marra said, calling it the most significant issue in his North East Scotland region and arguing that the party requires a position that protects Scottish jobs and the economy. Neither project is covered by the UK ban on new exploration licences because their applications were already in progress.

Marra secured the leadership after winning 4,266 votes to defeat Joe Fagan on 2,485 votes in a ballot of party members on a turnout of almost 50%, according to party figures. The result makes him the eleventh leader of Scottish Labour since devolution began in 1999.

Addressing members at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Marra addressed the challenge of reconnecting with voters after May's Holyrood election defeat: "Scots know what we are against. They can't tell you what we are for... Social justice. Eradication of poverty. Good work. Good housing. Good public services. The good life for working people." He also paid tribute to the ideas put forward by Fagan and fellow MSP Monica Lennon during the campaign, and warned that Labour's past lack of clarity had allowed Reform UK to gain ground.

Marra takes over following Anas Sarwar's departure from Holyrood. As we previously reported, Sarwar stood down in July to serve as trade minister in Burnham's government, subsequently accepting a seat in the House of Lords. The parliamentary situation Marra inherits remains exceptionally difficult: Scottish Labour holds just 17 seats at Holyrood—its lowest total since devolution—leaving it tied with Reform UK as the joint second-largest group, well behind the SNP.

Born in Dundee in 1979, Marra grew up in a family with longstanding trade union ties. He studied history at Glasgow University, completed postgraduate study in economics and international development at the London School of Economics, and worked at Dundee University while serving as a local councillor. He entered Holyrood in 2021 for the North East Scotland region, holding the education portfolio before moving to finance in 2023, where he helped write the party's 2026 manifesto.

In his acceptance speech, Marra echoed Burnham's local government approach, arguing that Labour must focus on policy and local alliances rather than immediate political attacks.

I'll be monitoring how Marra shapes his frontbench team at Holyrood in the coming days, how his position on North Sea energy is received by UK ministers, and how he intends to handle operating alongside Reform UK in opposition.