Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP, Douglas Alexander, and East Renfrewshire representative, Jim Murphy, have both been touted as replacements for the outgoing 57-year-old.

The incensed mum-of-two opted to step down this week saying she had reached the end of her tether due to the UK party’s approach to Scotland before, during, and after September’s referendum.

She said she had “had enough” of Labour politicians at Westminster treating the Scottish party like a “branch office” and claimed that key decisions, including the removal of Scottish Labour general secretary Ian Price, were made without her input.

MP Anas Sarwar has become interim leader of the party north of the border while a successor is being chosen, but Alexander and Murphy have emerged as strong candidates for the hot seat. Murphy is currently seen as the favourite for the job but is remaining tight-lipped on whether or not he will step forward.

As she stepped down Lamont also described some Labour MPs as “dinosaurs” who failed to recognise that “Scotland has changed forever” following September’s NO vote.

She added: “Scotland has chosen to remain in partnership with our neighbours in the UK. But Scotland is distinct and colleagues must recognise that.

“There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs – the Nationalists who can’t accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed.” Lamont, who became leader in December 2011, went on: “The Scottish Labour Party and its renewal are more important than me. That’s why I am standing down – so that debate our country demands can take place.” Other names mentioned as possible leaders are Glasgow MP Drew Smith and health spokesman Neil Findlay with Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale and Gordon Brown saying they do not wish to be considered.