Kezia hails newly elected Labour MPs
Rutherglen’s role in the resurgence of the Labour Party was recognised on Friday as the party’s six new MPs celebrated their success in the town.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale welcomed the “fantastic”new MPs to Rutherglen Town Hall and admitted she had forgotten the sweet taste of success.
She blasted those who had “written off”her party’s chances following the party’s General Election campaign, which was also launched in Rutherglen just weeks ago.
She said:“I am just thrilled for the individual candidates. It is true that I had forgotten how it felt to win but I like it and I am now determined to carry on doing this job so I can win some more.”
She added:“I lost count of the number of journalists who had written off our chances of winning even a single seat.
“We now have fantastic new MPs, an incredibly diverse and interesting group of people – from shipyard workers to posties to teachers to business people.
“They look and feel like the country that they seek to represent.
“They are a very talented bunch who represent a new generation of Labour MPs who will be fantastic first-class champions for their communities.”
Dugdale also threw her full weight behind UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – despite previously failing to back him in two leadership contests.
She said:“Jeremy put forward a fantastic manifesto with the potential to transform this country.
“The Prime Minister called this election because she wanted a majority and a mandate. She failed to get that and I think she should resign and allow Labour to try and form a government.
“I have been behind Jeremy through this campaign, just as he supported me through the Scottish Election.
“When I went to the UK manifesto launch in Bradford I saw perhaps for the first time how some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the country desperately need him to be Prime Minister. There is still a chance of that.”
When pressed on her previous lack of support for Corbyn’s leadership, she added:“I think I did a fair and democratic thing, which was speaking out during the leadership contest last summer. I have been nothing but supportive of Jeremy Corbyn and his leadership since that contest.”
Speaking at the town hall the Scottish Labour leader added:“The Scottish and UK Labour manifestos were very clear in that they were against independence and a second referendum.
“Scotland has spoken loudly and it is clear we are opposing a second referendum and Nicola Sturgeon should take it off the table.
“Nicola Sturgeon had an atrocious night, she has lost her deputy and her mentor and that is because Scots are fed up with her divisive plans.”