THE Scottish Labour party is now undoubtedly in the grip of its deepest crisis ever.

It has suffered a disastrous defeat at a General Election, and with it the loss of its status as the natural party of ordinary working class people in Scotland is confirmed.

It has a leader with no seat, but who is being encouraged by many to carry on into the next election.

So far, those who have stated publicly they want Jim Murphy to go are those who didn't want him as leader in the first place.

Publicly at least he has the backing of most of the MSPs whose jobs are next on the line in a year's time. Privately it could very well be a different matter.

If he is still in his post today, he faces another serious test tomorrow with a no confidence motion expected at the party's ruling body the Scottish executive Committee.

The problem for Labour now is who takes over after Murphy?

Jim Murphy answered the call that had been made many times for one of the so called big names at Westminster to come and lead the party in Scotland from Scotland.

The field from which a successor can emerge has narrowed to 38 MSPs and 1MP.

This week at Holyrood the Labour benches were full, but not full of potential leaders.

The Scottish Parliament contingent includes two ex leaders and two failed leadership contenders.

A few experienced veteran MSPs whose time is probable coming to a natural end, many who have been there since 1999, and more than a few who probably shouldn't ever have been there in the first place.

There are many who are very able and competent constituency MSPs and who have served as ministers and would be capable of doing so again should Labour win back power.

There are also a few young MSPs who entered Holyrood at the last election who in the future could be considered leadership contenders but to thrust that upon them now would risk destroying a career before it has really started.

Putting that pressure on Kezia Dugdale at this early stage in her career risks lumbering her with a 2016 defeat from which she may not recover.

Compare that with the long apprenticeship served by Nicola Sturgeon under Alex Salmond when she was marked out as a future leader.

To pitch the promising Dugdale directly against the accomplished Sturgeon as leader in an election next May would be an unfair burden to place on her.

What is lacking among the 38 MSPs is one who can stand out as the obvious leader, inspire others and the population in general that Labour has a vision and a team people can trust and have confidence in to run the country.

Scottish Labour has been walking towards the wilderness for years and may now have reached its destination.

Without the right person to turn it round it could spend years there before it comes out as a credible force again.