Time is frequently the enemy of politicians.  They may yearn for a period of calm reflection – but the political calendar demands action.  That is amply true in government – but it is also the case in opposition, as Scottish Labour is discovering.   

In truth, their leadership contest has arisen far too early.  They need to examine, quietly and thoughtfully, the reasons for their Holyrood defeat in May.  If possible, they need to do so without rancour or recrimination.  

Instead, they are immersed in a leadership contest, created by the departure of Anas Sarwar to the Lords and UK Ministerial office.  Rather than cool contemplation, they face the prospect of a heated debate – where one hopeful, Monica Lennon, says the party risks facing “oblivion” unless there is radical change.     

Scarcely ideal.  I spoke to several senior insiders this week.  The general view was that this leadership battle had arrived perhaps eighteen months too early.   

Read more by Brian Taylor:  

Andy Burnham’s big ideas and the huge, yawning gap in his plans so far 

What Andy Burnham’s path to Number 10 means for Scotland 

But these things.  As a broadcast journalist, I am only too well aware of the hazards of the deadline.  You are obliged to go on air with what you have.  It is futile to plead for a few more minutes from time’s winged chariot.   

So I sympathise with politicians whose lives are driven by time constraints.  And perhaps the temperature of Labour’s post-election contemplation would have been high in any case.  Yes, there has been a “Burnham bounce” – but it is limited.   

No political party has........

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