Ken Macintosh ‘confident’ over Scottish Labour race

Scottish Labour leadership contender Ken Macintosh. Picture: John Devlin

The MSP, who is battling against current deputy leader Kezia Dugdale for the job, says he is “confident” he will win the vote, claiming that momentum is with him.

Labour members have until Friday to cast their ballot, with the result due to be announced on Saturday.

Speaking after an event in Glasgow attended by undecideds, Mr Macintosh said that his canvas returns still show that over 50% of those entitled to vote are yet to make up their minds.

He said that the majority of those who have decided are backing him, adding that “all the switchers” are also moving in his direction.

Ms Dugdale has widely been portrayed as the favourite in the contest, having won the majority of supporting nominations.

She received 90% of the support from constituency Labour parties who nominated a candidate.

She is also backed by 80% of the local councillors who nominated a leadership candidate, 10 trade union and affiliate groups, and 30 fellow parliamentarians.

But Mr Macintosh said the move to the one-person-one-vote system has helped his campaign.

He said: “There is no doubt that Kezia is the candidate of the party machine.

“The good thing for me is that this is not going to be decided by elected representatives, or by the trade unions, it is going to be decide by the members.

“The majority of members are undecided, and whatever switchers there are are all going my way.

“My canvas returns are showing me that I am in the lead and momentum is with my campaign.”