South Scotland MSP Joe Fagan has announced his bid for the Scottish Labour leadership, promising to “shake up” politics. The former leader of South Lanarkshire council said his party will only be trusted when it is “rooted in communities”. In a statement to the Record, he declared: “Continuity won’t cut it.”
Leadership Bid
Scottish Labour’s summer leadership contest was triggered by the abrupt resignation of Anas Sarwar, who was given a peerage and a job in the UK Government. Other contenders include MSP Michael Marra, who has said he intends to run, and Monica Lennon, who will become an MSP again within days.
Learning from Localism
Fagan, who was elected in May to serve the South Scotland region, said Scottish Labour must learn from the localism of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham: “Scottish Labour needs to learn lessons from where we have won, not just where we have lost. Andy Burnham’s by-election victory in Makerfield and our own successes in South Lanarkshire show that Labour can win back trust when we are rooted in communities and serious about changing people’s lives. The lesson is simple: people will listen to Scottish Labour again when we stop sounding like a party talking to itself and start proving that we are on their side.”
Track Record
The 38-year-old said of his time running a local authority with a budget of around £1 billion: “As a local council leader I worked across party lines to make swimming free for South Lanarkshire’s under-16s, to cut the cost of living and deliver the best paid home care workforce in the country. I am not here to wait around. As my track record shows, I am here to get things done. That means more money in people’s pockets, better services on their doorstep and a politics that puts practical change ahead of excuses.”
Fagan, who grew up in East Kilbride, said: “I am standing to unite our party and seize this municipal moment. I want us to back the workers and the wealth builders who hold the key to our future shared prosperity. I want to build local wealth and local power and renew Labour as a force for change within the Scottish Parliament and without. That means trusting people, backing communities and putting power closer to the people who know their places best.” He concluded: “I know my campaign is bold, but continuity won’t cut it. It’s time to reach out beyond the Holyrood bubble and shake up Scottish politics.”
Ballot Requirements
Contenders need the support of three Scottish Labour MSPs, three MPs, and support from affiliated trade unions and local parties to get on the ballot. It is understood Fagan’s supporters are confident he will meet the threshold to become a candidate. A friend of Fagan said he was not tarnished by previous defeats and would amount to a break from the past.
