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Findlay lays case for a left leader

MSP Neil Findlay laid out a radical new policy agenda for Scottish Labour at a packed meeting of the party’s left-wing group following the resignation of Johann Lamont at the weekend.

Activists at the Campaign for Socialism (CfS) conference in Glasgow supported calls for a left candidate to challenge for the Scottish leadership.

Neil Findlay told the meeting that Scottish Labour needed to work “hand in glove with our allies in the trade unions” to create policies which would put “clear red water” between the party and the SNP.

Setting out an agenda based on the work of the Red Paper Collective of which he is a member, Mr Findlay said: “Labour needs to make a commitment to full employment, and to a living wage, unlike the current Scottish government.”

He called for the “redemocratisation of local councils and an end to the council tax freeze” and proposed a council house-building programme to create “social housing on a grand scale” which would provide jobs and a boost to the economy.

“We must restore the 40,000 jobs which have been lost at local councils over the years of austerity and end the social care scandal of poorly paid staff and 15-minute visits,” said Mr Findlay.

He said Labour should “stop seeking complicated new systems” of means testing.

“We already have the one we need — it’s called the tax system and we should use it for redistribution of wealth,” he said.

CfS convener Elaine Smith MSP called for a left-wing candidate supported by the trade unions for the Scottish Labour leadership.

“We know we’ll have a right-wing candidate, that’s for sure,” she warned.

“But if we get a London-based careerist as Scottish leader, we will be finished.”

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