MSPs Lennon, Marra and Fagan have already launched their bids for the leadership, with nominations officially opening on Monday, August 3. Ms Clark served as MP from 2005 to 2015 when she lost the seat to the SNP's Patricia Gibson. A year later, she was elected to Holyrood as a West Scotland List MSP, taking a leave of absence from the Lords. After being re-elected as a West Scotland Labour MSP in May this year, she officially resigned from the House of Lords. While the new Presiding Officer, Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson, had to resign from the SNP to take up the impartial role, his deputies are allowed to keep their political affiliations.