Labour leadership: Andy Kerr 'raring to go' as he launches campaign

Mr Kerr said he wanted a "people's party" which would take Scotland forward.

Mr Kerr, who faces competition from finance spokesman Iain Gray and acting leader Cathy Jamieson, unveiled plans for a 360 million initiative to provide 800 hours of free child care for youngsters.

He also signalled he may support a referendum on Scottish independence but warned that this was not a "blank cheque" for First Minister Alex Salmond.

Mr Kerr, whose wife and daughters were at today's campaign launch in Glasgow, said he wanted his family to grow and prosper in a forward-looking Scotland.

He said: "My ambitions for them and for this country are limitless.

"I will be a bold Scottish leader. My fellow Scots, I'll focus my energies on making your hopes – and your ambitions – reality.

"I will fear no one and I will do whatever it takes to deliver these promises."

He added: "We – Scottish Labour – face a hell of a challenge.

"We all know where we've been. We all know things have gone wrong. But, from this point on, it's about the future. We have an opportunity to work together to win again.

"It is an opportunity I am ready to seize."

He later added: "I've got great people alongside me, I'm filled with energy for the task ahead and I'm raring to go."

The East Kilbride MSP said he would not rule out supporting a referendum on Scottish independence.

"I strongly believe that the Scots have a right to determine their own future constitutionally," he added.

"I also believe that Mr Salmond has to act in a responsible manner when he brings forward his ideas on that, because at the moment we don't have the detail, we don't have any guarantee that it's a 'neverendum'.

He went on: "I am absolutely clear in my mind that firstly, we do not stand in the way of Scots having their choice. I do believe they will continue to choose to be part of the United Kingdom.

"But secondly, there is no blank cheque for Mr Salmond for my support in relation to what his proposals are until I see the details of what he is saying."

Mr Kerr said if he won the leadership race he would want to take greater direct control as leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

"We need to build the machine that is required to take Mr Salmond and his party on.

"But he has also got his own credit crunch coming along. He's got his day of reckoning as First Minister. He's been splashing the cash."

Mr Kerr said the SNP's proposals for a local income tax were a "shambles" which was undeliverable in its current form.

"There are many issues I would want to take back to Mr Salmond, the biggest one being he will have his day of reckoning. It is coming in terms of the financing of this country."