Leadership contests are usually exercises in optimism. Out with the old, in with the new, Fresh slogans and carefully choreographed declarations about “change”.

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Political parties love the theatre of it all - even if it injects some chaos - because it allows them, if only briefly, to believe that replacing the cast can rescue a faltering production.

Scottish Labour has become particularly adept at this whole ritual. Since losing office in 2007 it has changed leaders with almost bewildering regularity. Each has arrived promising to reconnect with Scotland and the voters. Each has inherited a party convinced that success was surely just one better speech, one sharper campaign away. Each failing.

And here it stands again, choosing a successor after Anas Sarwar's controversial departure to Westminster, elevated to the Lords and taking ministerial office in new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government. That alone has seen fury erupt in Labour ranks - a reward for failure is how it has been described - and now the party is facing yet another potentially bruising battle for someone to take the helm.

The contest between Monica Lennon and Michael Marra matters, but probably not for the reason many imagine. Scottish Labour's biggest challenge isn't finding another leader, it’s about answering a question it has spent almost two decades avoiding: what is Scottish Labour actually for? That is what they have to find an answer to, not only to convince........

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