Labour hopeful Macintosh ‘optimistic’ of council win

SCOTTISH Labour leadership contender Ken Macintosh says he is “very optimistic” that Labour will become the biggest party on Edinburgh City Council at next year’s local elections.

After an afternoon’s campaigning in the Capital, he said: “The very first political test of the new leader will be the local elections.

“It’s a test I relish. I think we’re in a very strong position to make gains and start getting across a positive message of what we can do for people in their own communities.

“I’m hugely impressed with the campaign in Edinburgh and the idea of a co-operative model to involve people in the design and delivery of services in contrast to the privatisation agenda.”

Mr Macintosh grew up in Edinburgh and went to the Royal High School. He took a swipe at the SNP’s record in coalition with the Lib Dems.

He said: “There has been a willingness for the SNP to sign up to policies until they are questioned and then they run away from them.”