Scottish Labour leadership race heats up with reform pledges

Joe Fagan, leader of South Lanarkshire Council, has entered the Scottish Labour leadership contest, arguing the party must prove it can win and govern by delivering tangible improvements for ordinary people. He stresses the need for higher wages, affordable housing, reliable public services and local job opportunities, and cites his record of free swimming for under‑16s, household‑cost assistance and better pay for home‑care workers.

Michael Marra, a North‑East MSP, also seeks the leadership and promises to devolve power within the party to its members, trade unions and affiliates. He says this will give local branches greater influence over organisation, policy, campaigning and resource allocation. Marra’s pledge follows the abrupt resignation of Anas Sarwar after a historic defeat in the May Holyrood election, which left Scottish Labour with its lowest ever number of MSPs. Both candidates present reform agendas aimed at rebuilding the party’s credibility and electoral prospects.