Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Richard is aiming high
New Labour leader elected
Richard Leonard reiterated his aim “to be the next Labour First Minister of Scotland” as he triumphed in the party’s leadership contest.
The Central Scotland MSP was declared as Scottish Labour’s new leader on Saturday, taking 56.7 per cent of the vote in a party ballot to defeat rival challenger Anas Sarwar.
The Advertiser columnist was supported by major trade unions including Unite, Unison and the GMB; and gained parliamentary support including the votes of fellow regional list member Elaine Smith, the former Coatbridge constituency MSP, and the town’s MP, Hugh Gaffney.
Mr Leonard said at the announcement in Glasgow: “To lead our party for a movement of real change, for democracy and for socialism – realising the hopes of the people – is a source of immense pride but is also deeply humbing.”
He added: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive the support right across the Labour party and the wider Labour movement.
“The challenge we have before us is huge; we have to bring Labour in Scotland from being in third place to a position where we can challenge for power, but I’m confident we can do that.
“People are looking to a Labour party which they can see stands for something distinctive, which is radical and which is offering people a vision of hope and change in Scotland.”
Mr Leonard was first elected to Holyrood just 18 months ago, having been top of his party’s regional list for Central Scotland; he also contested the Airdrie & Shotts constituency at the same 2016 election, finishing second to incumbent MSP Alex Neil.
Before his election to the Scottish Parliament, he was an industrial organiser for the GMB for 20 years; and was previously head of economics at the STUC.
The 55- year- old has been active in the Labour party for more than three decades, serving as party chair and helping to establish the Keir Hardie society.