Laird set for Deputy Leader role
As of the 12 noon deadline for nominations today (Monday 28 May 2018), Laird was the only nominated candidate for the vacancy.
Lesley Laird will be formally confirmed as the party’s deputy leader in the coming days at a meeting of parliamentarians and councillors.
Lesley Laird 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.”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said:
“Scottish Labour is ready to deliver real change for people across Scotland, with strong teams at Holyrood and Westminster.
“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.
“Together we will build a Labour Party which appeals to all people of goodwill who want justice, equality, co-operation and real change.
“The SNP’s Cuts Commission plots a further decade of severe austerity. Scotland has had enough of the economics of George Osborne and Phillip Hammond – they are ready for an investment led economy with workers’ rights and public ownership at the heart of economic growth.”