Scottish Labour leadership candidate Joe Fagan has delivered a stinging criticism of Anas Sarwar’s decisions not to challenge the SNP budgets over the last two years.
Mr Fagan – who was only elected to the Scottish Parliament in May – said the decision to abstain had enabled the minority SNP government to force through its tax and spending plans.
By adopting a passive role in the process, Labour had “put politics and tactics ahead of real outcomes for working people”, said Mr Fagan.
Launching his campaign against fellow contenders Michael Marra and Monica Lennon, he warned that the party “suffered a painful defeat” in May and must “learn the lessons of where we have lost”.
In May Mr Sarwar led the party to its worst election defeat since the devolved government was set up in 1999, returning just 17 MSPs.
He has caused fury among members by not staying on to review the result and instead opting for a seat in the House of Lords and a position as trade minister in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s UK government.
Mr Fagan launched his campaign by focusing on how Labour had approached the budget negotiations. “For two Budgets in a row, while other parties forced concessions from the SNP, we sat on the sidelines,” he said. “It is time now for Scottish Labour to be bold, to be confident and to shape what happens next.
“So if I am elected leader, we will take a different approach and it starts with a serious offer to John Swinney and the SNP Government.
“I will set five clear tests for the coming Budget. Five tests of whether it will make a real difference to the lives of working people across Scotland.
“If you make serious progress on them, we will work with you to pass a Budget.”
The first test will be improved funding for buses, with Mr Fagan demanding the Government provides the cash and make the necessary legal challenges to take buses “back under public control”. This is consistent with his previous calls for franchising of the bus network.
The former East Kilbride councillor also called for a permanent £2 fare cap on single bus journeys in Scotland.
As he launched his campaign, the GMB Scotland trade union and Usdaw announced they were endorsing Mr Fagan as leader.
Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland Secretary, said: “All the candidates in the contest have strong Labour values and are clearly ambitious for the party but our political committee representing members believes Joe Fagan best represents their priorities.
“Scottish Labour is at a crossroads and this leadership contest must set the party’s future path with new ideas and fresh thinking.”
Speaking to reporters after his speech, Mr Fagan said he did not support Scottish Labour separating from the UK party.
“I don’t think that’s a viable way forward,” he said. “Many years ago after a previous defeat, we created this role that I’m seeking to stand for just now. Previously the leader of the party in Scotland was simply the leader of the parliamentary group.
“They are now the leader of Scottish Labour. That’s the position I’m standing for and I will carry myself as the leader of the Labour Party in this nation.”
Mr Marra, the first candidate to make the ballot, has won the support of rail workers union Aslef.
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