'I will end the factional infighting in Scottish Labour'

If Scottish Labour ceased to exist tomorrow, would anyone notice? By applying to be the next party leader, I’m determined that we’ll never need to find that out.

The next leader faces the huge challenge of remaking Scottish Labour as a progressive movement fit for a modern Scotland. First, the factional infighting must end.

Insiders who value personal loyalties over progressive action have often underestimated their colleagues. I’ve felt that too.

When critics said passing my Period Poverty Bill from opposition was impossible, we proved them wrong - making Scotland the first nation to guarantee universal free period products. I bring that same focus to women’s health campaigns, as I’ll continue to do on environmental justice through my Ecocide (Scotland) Bill when I return to Parliament as an MSP for Glasgow next month.

My background as a town planner taught me that decisions on paper must deliver for real people and communities.

Soundbites and vibes won't rebuild trust with left-behind communities or improve the lives of the next generation - only committed action will.

It’s no secret I wanted Andy Burnham to become Prime Minister some time ago. With Keir Starmer gone, our members have some hope again. Many of us understand too that the relationship between Scottish Labour and the UK party simply isn’t working and must change. Just as we want a devolution revolution that puts wealth and power into local places, the project of party autonomy in Scotland must be completed.

Outwardly, my leadership will promote a place-based economic strategy. Devolution must be an engine for economic justice. People need to feel better off through change designed in communities, not enforced centrally.

Protecting public services demands urgency. Scotland faces 20,000 public sector job losses under the SNP. We have already experienced devastating cuts to fire and rescue services, while our NHS and social care are stretched beyond safe limits - something I witnessed firsthand in hospital earlier this year. We must reshape public services in a way that values those who need and deliver them.

Having chaired the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Construction for ten years, I know solving Scotland’s housing emergency requires bold investment in warm, affordable homes, modern transport, and dynamic local planning.

Skills and further education have been neglected. It’s impossible to build a better future without prioritising further education. We must invest heavily in our colleges, apprenticeships, and skills sector for high-skilled union jobs.

The UK Labour government has made a good start on workers’ rights, but there is more to do. I’ll work with trade unions while listening to employers.

We must partner across governments, councils, businesses, and unions to help deliver green reindustrialisation that creates well-paid jobs, national security, and environmental protection.

To do this and more, I want a big-tent party where ideas flourish. I’m the candidate who believes in uniting a broad coalition - urban and rural, young and old, unionist and independence-supporting alike.