Kez Dugdale: I'm going into the jungle to tell young people about Labour values
3 min read
Kezia Dugdale has defended her decision to go on 'I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' - and insisted she is doing it to promote "Labour values" to a wider audience.
The former Scottish Labour leader stunned politics when it was announced she would be heading to the Australian jungle for three weeks.
It later emerged she had decided to jet off to the other side of the world despite Labour bosses in the Scottish Parliament refusing to give her time off.
Scottish Labour announced yesterday that Ms Dugdale would not be suspended from the party, but will be asked to explain herself when she returns to Edinburgh in three weeks.
In a video for voters made before she set off for Australia, the Lothians MSP admitted she had made a "controversial" decision.
She also revealed that she had initially refused the invitation to go on the reality show, but had finally agreed when producers agreed to cut the length of time she will been to be away from Scotland.
"I know there will be people that are upset about it, who will question my priorities," she said. "So I wanted to take a little minute to explain why I’m doing this and hope that I can get your support for the adventures ahead.
"First and foremost, 'I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' is a huge UK-wide television programme, with an audience into the millions. I think it’s an amazing opportunity to talk to young people who watch this programme about politics, and - in particular - Labour values.
"The first time I was approached to do this programme, I said no. I turned it down because I didn’t think I could be away from my job for over five weeks. The show came back to me and asked me if I would do it if I could go away for just three weeks and two days, and that’s what I’m going to do.
"So the minute that I leave Australia I’ll be coming back to the Scottish Parliament to do my job as Labour MSP for Edinburgh and the Lothians, and I’m committed to doing that for the long-term and I hope to stand at the next election again as well."
Ms Dugdale said she would donate the salary she would have earned as an MSP while she is away - £2,500 - to Edinburgh homeless charity the Rock Trust.
She added: "In the meantime, please tune into the show. You’ve got an opportunity to vote for me to do horrendous tasks covered in beasties, and you also have a chance to vote me out when the time comes too.
“Wish me luck, and if I have to do some of the eating tasks, well - who knows?"
A number of Labour MSPs rounded on their former boss, including former leadership challenger Anas Sarwar, who said he would have preferred her to remain in parliament “focusing on education, the NHS, and employability, rather than kangaroo testicles".
Elsewhere, former leadership challenger Neil Findlay said she had taken an “utterly ludicrous” position, while Jenny Marra tweeted that elected office should not be treated as a “shortcut to celebrity”.
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