Lesley Laird to become Scottish Labour’s deputy leader

Shadow Scotland Secretary Lesley Laird is set to become Scottish Labour’s deputy leader.

Nominations closed at noon yesterday and Laird was the only nominated candidate for the vacancy.

The MP will be formally confirmed as the party’s deputy leader in the coming days at a meeting of parliamentarians and councillors.

She said: “I’m ready to get on with the job of holding the Tory and SNP governments to account and outlining a positive vision of what a Labour government can do in Scotland and across the UK.

“The SNP’s ‘Cuts Commission’ shows that only Labour offers the real and radical change that Scots wants, with investment in our public services, infrastructure and our people.

“The 2017 General Election saw Labour win seats and slash majorities across Scotland. The next General Election will see Scotland help deliver a Labour government that works for the many, not the few.”

Laird has been carrying out the role on a temporary basis following the resignation of Alex Rowley MSP as deputy leader in December.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said Scottish Labour was “ready to deliver real change for people across Scotland”.

“Lesley will be a great voice for our members and our movement, to make the case for the economic and social transformation Scotland so desperately needs,” he added.

“Together we will build a Labour Party which appeals to all people of goodwill who want justice, equality, co-operation and real change.”