Katy Clark has confirmed she will not be a candidate in the Scottish Labour leadership contest, ending speculation that she would join the race. The left-wing MSP has instead issued a series of policy challenges on public ownership and the trade unions.
The West Scotland MSP was widely expected to stand alongside Holyrood colleagues Michael Marra, Joe Fagan and Monica Lennon. She has not said whether she will nominate any of the three contenders, a decision that could affect Lennon's chances of getting on the ballot.
Sarwar's exit triggers contest
The vacancy was created when Anas Sarwar quit as leader after joining the House of Lords and Andy Burnham's Government. Clark backed the return of bus, leisure and education services from the private sector as part of her statement.
Nomination requirements
To become a candidate, hopefuls need the support of trade unions and local members, as well as three Scottish Labour MSPs and three Scottish Labour MPs. Monica Lennon, a fellow left-winger, is struggling to meet the parliamentary threshold. Nominations open this morning.
Public ownership call
Clark said: "Over recent decades, privatisation and outsourcing have led to our public services being run to generate private profit rather than delivering for ordinary people. Putting our public services into the hands of private companies and multinationals has led to poor value for money and little democratic control.
"Scottish Labour must argue for insourcing and demonstrate why public ownership works. That means demanding that all outsourcing and contracting out is reversed and that services such as home care are provided in the public sector. Rather than re-tendering involving multinationals, when contracts for justice services such prisoner transfer come to an end, public sector provision needs developed. Public funding models used in the UK are very expensive compared to other countries and cannot continue to be used in their current forms."
She also said Scottish Labour must identify much more closely with trade unions. "We need to remember that we are a socialist party. We were created by the trade unions and others to be a voice for working-class people."
