Macintosh pledges he will create an ‘autonomous’ Scottish Labour party

LABOUR leadership candidate Ken Macintosh has said he wants to create an “autonomous party” in Scotland, as he launched his campaign to replace Jim Murphy yesterday.

But it should make a “positive choice” to remain part of the UK Labour party, he said.

The Eastwood MSP also announced plans to move Labour’s Scottish headquarters from its traditional base in Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Mr Macintosh is the underdog in the race to be Labour’s new Scottish leader. Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale, who launches her campaign today, is favourite.

But Mr Macintosh described Ken Macintosh is seen underdog to Dugdale

as

the himself as the party’s “change candidate” as he launched his campaign in East Kilbride.

“I want us to be an autonomous party here in Scotland, but one which makes a positive choice to remain part of the UK Labour Party. We will be entirely in charge of our own affairs.”

Ms Dugdale will launch her campaign in Edinburgh today with a pledge to be the “anti-establishment” candidate against the SNP’S domination at Holyrood and Westminster.

“If I am elected leader I won’t stand for business as usual just because it’s inconvenient to say otherwise. I’m going to shake things up,” she said.

Ms Dugdale and Mr Macintosh were confirmed as the only candidates for the leadership as nominations closed yesterday. The deputy leadership will be a three-way fight between MSP Alex Rowley and Richard Baker, as well as Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson.