Labour can make fresh start, insists Kezia Dugdale

Kezia Dugdale and Labour suffered through another rough election. Picture: John Devlin

She ruled out quitting after the party’s worst result in almost a century saw Labour pushed back into third place behind the Tories, with just 24 Labour MSPs returned to Holyrood.

Former Deputy leader Anas Sarwar said yesterday that the party had to rediscover its “fundamental cause” over the coming years.

But Ms Dugdale said; “Today marks a fresh start for the Labour Party at Holyrood. Labour will lead progressive opposition to the SNP, and our new MSPs – who come with experience from outside politics – will be critical to that success.

“We need all their talents to rebuild for the long term. Over the next five years the Scottish Parliament will take responsibility for a whole host of new powers, including over tax and welfare. If the SNP are looking for our support they will need to be bold and radical in how they use the new powers of the Parliament.”

Despite attempts to attract “fresh talent” into Holyrood, the majority are returning MSPs, or former MSPs or MPs.