<\/p>\n
Michael Marra: reconnecting with the people (pic: DB Media Services)<\/p>\n
Michael Marra said he would commit Labour to be clear in its values after being elected leader of the Scottish party.<\/p>\n
The current finance spokesman, who was was backed by a clear majority over his rival Joe Fagan, said his first 100 days would take Labour out of the bubble of parliament to deliver what the people want.<\/p>\n
Mr Marra secured 4,266 (63%) votes to Mr Fagan\u2019s 2,485 (37%). He succeeds Anas Sarwar who stood down following the party\u2019s worst defeat since the devolved parliament was established. He took a seat in the House of Lords and a post as trade minister in Andy Burnham\u2019s government.<\/p>\n
Speaking at an event to announce the new leader, Mr Marra said the public could feel that \u201cScotland has got weaker\u201d and Labour must reconnect with the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will press for economic and industrial policies that put Scottish workers first, and we will push power and control out of Holyrood and into Scotland\u2019s regions, because politics in Scotland is more than just what happens in the Holyrood chamber,\u201d he told Labour supporters at Dynamic Earth.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will work with Labour councillors across the country to protect services and communities from cuts.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will work with our trade union movement to protect jobs, rights and deliver new opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we will work with Andy Burnham\u2019s UK Labour government, with Scots at the heart of it, to deliver the best deal for Scotland in a changing UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
His defeated rival, Mr Fagan, said: \u201cI am genuinely delighted for Michael. The key message was all about party unity and he reflected the good nature of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Joe Fagan: moving forward together (pic: DB Media Services)<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything he said was about people and place and we will move forward together as a party.\u201d<\/p>\n
SNP Depute Leader, Keith Brown MSP, immediately challenged Mr Marra to turn his focus on the people to delivering constitutional change.<\/p>\n
\u201cScotland\u2019s constitutional future should rest with the people of Scotland and Michael Marra should be absolutely clear from the get-go that he supports that simple democratic concept,\u201d said Mr Brown.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the Labour Party continue to deny the people of Scotland their democratic right to choose our own future, they will continue to suffer defeat after defeat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we saw in Wales on Monday, there are First Ministers across these islands that support constitutional change \u2013 three of the four nations on these islands are led by pro-independence First Ministers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWestminster\u2019s time is coming to an end and the question is how and when Scotland will leave it and begin a fresh start with independence.\u201d<\/p>\n
..more follows<\/p>\n
\t #leader #Marra #pledges #return #Labour #values #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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