Scottish Labour leadership candidate Michael Marra has said he would be open to deals with other parties in the Scottish local elections next year.
Mr Marra is taking on fellow MSP and former South Lanarkshire Council leader Joe Fagan to replace Anas Sarwar, who was sent to the House of Lords and made a UK minister. If Mr Marra wins the leadership contest, he would lead the party through the Scottish local elections in May 2027.
Locking out Reform
Speaking to the Press Association in Glasgow on Monday, the North East region MSP said Scottish Labour would want to work with other parties at the elections to “make sure that we lock out Reform from the halls of power in Scotland”.
He continued: “Because all they bring is division, distrust and a brand, I think, of right wing populism that is actually a challenge to the soul of our country.”
“That’s not something the Scottish Labour Party will accept. It’s what we’ve always fought against, and we’re going to be on the front lines fighting against them this time round, too.”
Reform's electoral gains
Reform Scotland secured 17 MSPs in the Scottish Parliament elections in May, while Scottish Labour lost four seats, returning with 17 MSPs, meaning the parties are joint opposition to the SNP.
However, Mr Marra said Scottish Labour would not be making any deals with Reform in the future but did not rule out working with other parties.
He continued: “I think we have to recognise that Scottish politics has changed; that we have a very fractured polity, lots of different parties competing for space and a voice.”
“The days of two-party politics are long in the past in Scotland so we have to make sure that we are able to speak to parties. But I’ve been clear on that, I don’t want to see deals with Reform. I don’t think that’s acceptable.”
“I think that what they bring to the table is anathema to the values of the Labour Party.”
Reform responds
David Smith, Reform UK MSP for West Scotland, said: “It appears Mr Marra is trying to portray himself as a Smart Price Keir Starmer.”
“He can focus on petty, backroom politics all he wants, but Reform will continue to focus on the day-to-day responsibilities of standing up for hardworking Scots and holding the SNP to account.”
“Reform UK are now the largest Unionist Party within Scotland, and no one is taking any notice whatsoever of what anyone in Labour have to say.”
“Labelling Reform as far-right populists only shows Mr Marra up as a continuity candidate that’s part of the problem, not part of any solution.”
“Maybe he’s found one of Anas Sawar’s old notebooks in one of the Labour offices.”
