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Dugdale launches Scottish Labour leadership campaign | Dugdale launches Scottish Labour leadership campaign |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Kezia Dugdale has launched her campaign to become the new leader of Scottish Labour with a pledge to "shake things up". | |
The Lothians MSP and former deputy leader of the party said she would "stand up to vested interests". | The Lothians MSP and former deputy leader of the party said she would "stand up to vested interests". |
She is going up against Eastwood MSP Ken Macintosh, who launched his campaign on Friday. | |
Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and MSPs Alex Rowley and Richard Baker are standing as deputy. | Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and MSPs Alex Rowley and Richard Baker are standing as deputy. |
Ms Dugdale said: "Now more than ever, Scotland needs a voice that will stand up to the vested interests. | |
"Scotland needs a strong opposition that asks tough questions, not a one-party state where every institution and every cause is linked to just one political party. | "Scotland needs a strong opposition that asks tough questions, not a one-party state where every institution and every cause is linked to just one political party. |
"That wouldn't be good for Scotland. People need a champion against the cosy consensus in Scottish politics." | "That wouldn't be good for Scotland. People need a champion against the cosy consensus in Scottish politics." |
'Education is everything' | |
Ms Dugdale also argued that there was a need to "think outside the box" when it came to reforming Scotland's state schools. | |
After the launch, she said: "Education is everything. It can lift people out of poverty, help them live a healthy lifestyle and open up doors that would otherwise remain shut. | |
"If we are to compete with the big economies around the world in future then we need people finishing school with the skills they need to get on. | |
"The gap between the richest and poorest kids in Scotland is far too high. | |
"After more than eight years of SNP government that gap isn't getting any narrower. | |
"The solution isn't to drag the well-off kids back - it's to help the kids who are struggling to get on." | |
She added: "There can be no sacred cows in Scottish state education. The inequality is too ingrained, the problems too deep to tip-toe around vested interests. It's time to be bold and radical." | |
The leadership contest was sparked by the resignation of Jim Murphy after Labour lost all but one of its 41 seats in Scotland in May's general election. | The leadership contest was sparked by the resignation of Jim Murphy after Labour lost all but one of its 41 seats in Scotland in May's general election. |
In a change from previous leadership contests, it will be a one member one vote ballot, while non-members can also register as supporters for £3, allowing them to take part. | In a change from previous leadership contests, it will be a one member one vote ballot, while non-members can also register as supporters for £3, allowing them to take part. |
Ms Dugdale is the favourite to win, despite only entering the Scottish Parliament in 2011. | Ms Dugdale is the favourite to win, despite only entering the Scottish Parliament in 2011. |
At his launch, Mr Macintosh promised to shake up the party organisation, including moving the headquarters from Glasgow to Edinburgh. | At his launch, Mr Macintosh promised to shake up the party organisation, including moving the headquarters from Glasgow to Edinburgh. |
He said Scotland must be more accountable and responsive to the needs and wants of Scottish people. | He said Scotland must be more accountable and responsive to the needs and wants of Scottish people. |
And he said he would begin negotiations with the new national Labour leadership to establish a formal relationship with Scottish Labour that recognised its autonomous role within the UK party. | And he said he would begin negotiations with the new national Labour leadership to establish a formal relationship with Scottish Labour that recognised its autonomous role within the UK party. |
Three candidates are standing for the deputy leadership role: Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and MSPs Alex Rowley and Richard Baker. | Three candidates are standing for the deputy leadership role: Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and MSPs Alex Rowley and Richard Baker. |
The hustings period begins on 22 June and the result will be announced on 15 August. | The hustings period begins on 22 June and the result will be announced on 15 August. |
Party hustings | Party hustings |
Following changes pushed through by Mr Murphy before his departure as leader, the election for both the leader and deputy leader will be based on one-member-one-vote. | Following changes pushed through by Mr Murphy before his departure as leader, the election for both the leader and deputy leader will be based on one-member-one-vote. |
All the contestants will take part in a series of hustings at four venues: | All the contestants will take part in a series of hustings at four venues: |
The results of the two contests will be announced at a special gathering on Saturday 15 August. | The results of the two contests will be announced at a special gathering on Saturday 15 August. |
Leadership timetable | Leadership timetable |
15 June - Nominations open for leader and deputy leader | 15 June - Nominations open for leader and deputy leader |
19 June (12 noon) - Nominations close | 19 June (12 noon) - Nominations close |
19 June (17:00) - Supporting nominations open | 19 June (17:00) - Supporting nominations open |
22 June - Hustings period opens | 22 June - Hustings period opens |
13 July - Last date to join as member, affiliated supporter, or registered supporter in order to vote in the leadership ballot | 13 July - Last date to join as member, affiliated supporter, or registered supporter in order to vote in the leadership ballot |
10 July (12 noon) - Supporting nominations close | 10 July (12 noon) - Supporting nominations close |
20 July - Ballot opens | 20 July - Ballot opens |
14 August - Ballot closes | 14 August - Ballot closes |
15 August - Result announced | 15 August - Result announced |