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29 October 2014updated 22 Jul 2021 5:20am

Neil Findlay MSP enters the race to be Scottish Labour’s leader

A left-wing candidate is second to enter the contest to succeed Johann Lamont.

By Anoosh Chakelian

Scottish Labour’s shadow health secretary Neil Findlay has announced he will enter the race to become the next leader of the Scottish Labour party.

Here’s his statement:

I have been overwhelmed by the messages of support from people from within the Labour party and across the wider Labour movement all urging me to stand. It is no secret that I wanted Gordon Brown to run but since Gordon has ruled himself out I now believe we need to have a wide ranging debate about the way forward for the Labour party but more importantly the country.

I want to bring the Labour party together to work for progressive change and create a fairer, more equal and prosperous Scotland. If elected Labour leader I will put the issue of social justice at heart of everything we do – this is the historic mission of the Scottish Labour party but it also has to be about what we deliver for the Scottish people in this post referendum period.

He’s a left-winger with a strong interest in social justice, and has fought for justice for the miners charged and sentenced during strikes in 1984/85. He may be seen as the left-wing alternative to Jim Murphy MP, who is expected to throw his hat in the ring tomorrow.

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