We must show that we are united

KEIR STARMER The new Labour Party leader, writes for the Daily Record about his hopes for the country

IT IS an honour to be elected leader of the Labour Party. And that privilege brings with it enormous responsibility, including to the people of Scotland. Right now, Labour has to be a responsible and effective opposition at a time of a global emergency. The changes to our lives are unparalleled in peacetime. I will not use my role to score political points. Instead, I will challenge the British Government where it is in the interests of the public: pressing Boris Johnson and asking difficult questions in order to secure better outcomes for everybody. I want to see more clarity from the Government over testing – including making good on its promise of 100,000 tests a day. Our frontline NHS and care workers must get their protective equipment. And when there is a vaccine, we need a far-reaching vaccine programme in place so that the population is protected. Scottish Labour has a similar job – to support the right measures taken by the Scottish Government and also to shine a light where more needs to be done. It was right to say that the plan to suspend jury trials was an error and right to insist on accountability when

Scotland’s chief medical officer is found to be in breach of her own guidance on second homes.

These are our responsibilities in the crisis. But it will end, one day.

When it does, we cannot go back to business as usual. The NHS and our other public services must be given the support they need. Key workers in a time of crisis must be treated as key workers all the time.

The pandemic has sharply exposed the problems of insecure work and a failing benefits system. And there can be no return to austerity to pay for any of the clearly necessary emergency measures.

Under my leadership, and with our new Shadow Chancellor Anneliese Dodds, Labour will fight for that better vision of our society.

We will have a special responsibility to Scotland. Labour has a long radical tradition in Scotland. Scottish socialists and trade unionists have led our movement. And Labour delivered.

Equal pay, rights at work, the NHS, comprehensive state education, the Scottish Parliament – these are all Labour achievements.

But Labour has lost touch with too many people in Scotland. The road back to connecting with the Scottish public will not be quick or easy but I promise I will make it my priority. I will work closely with Richard Leonard to ensure Scottish Labour has the backing it needs.

Labour’s pioneering leader, Keir Hardie, was not a supporter of nationalism but of home rule for Scotland within the UK.

I said during Labour’s leadership election that I want to build a future on the principle of federalism.

We will establish a constitutional convention in opposition that applies that principle of federalism and a new settlement for the UK.

I want to see Scotland use the powers it has got. I also want it to have more powers itself. Change for Scotland, and reconnecting with Scotland, means a culture change so we will root out the poison of antiSemitism that caused Labour harm. People don’t support divided parties.

Parliamentarians in Holyrood and Westminster must lead by example, showing our party, our movement and the public that we are united. We will have disagreements but we must not let those divide us any longer.

We will unite and we will work for the interests of the Scottish people, their public services, their well-being and their prosperity.