I hope Leonard enjoys Rich success
HUGE congratulations to Richard Leonard, the new leader of the Scottish Labour Party. I can’t wait to wish him well in person.
I endured four elections and one referendum during my time in the party’s leadership.
I desperately hope Richard has a more peaceful time so that he has the opportunity to make all the changes he wants to. He’ll have my full support, that’s for sure.
Politicians in public life should never expect any gratitude or thanks but there’s no doubt a role like this takes its toll.
Behind everyone is a small group of forgiving family and friends who put up with so much – bad moods, latenight calls, last-minute cancellations. Negative publicity, intrusion and frustrations.
And they take all that without the pay cheque. I was often too absorbed in my work to stop and truly appreciate the support and help of others who kept me going. So, the only advice I would ever dare offer to my successor is: Be as kind with your cash and as generous with your time as you can with the ones you love. ● It’s budget day on Thursday and I hope Derek McKay holds his nerve and uses the tax powers of the parliament to stem the tide of Tory cuts.
This is a Parliament with real teeth and it’s crunch time if we’re serious about protecting the most vulnerable Scots.