Scottish Labour leader said:
“Scotland needs a Labour government now more than ever before.
Our National Health Service and public services are at breaking
point under the strain of an out-of-control pandemic. Covid is
rampant, claiming lives, and striking down so many of our fellow
citizens, who are grievously suffering from this awful virus.
Workers’ incomes are being squeezed like never before, with job
losses rife and businesses going bust. Too many employees go to
work day-in and day-out, night-in and night-out leaving them
vulnerable to the virus.
“Both Governments have mishandled its response to Covid, with
devastating consequences not least in our care homes. It is
essential now that we have an accelerated vaccine roll out – 24
hours a day, 7 days a week – to ensure that the most vulnerable
and frontline workers are protected against Covid, and that the
general population is given greater protection as quickly as
possible after that.
“I have thought long and hard over the Christmas period about
what this crisis means, and the approach Scottish Labour takes to
help tackle it. I have also considered what the speculation about
my leadership does to our ability to get Labour’s message across.
This has become a distraction.
“I have come to the conclusion it is in the best interests of the
party that I step aside as leader of Scottish Labour with
immediate effect. This was not an easy decision, but after three
years I feel it is the right one for me and for the Party.
“I want to thank all those people who placed their hopes in me,
and who worked with me in good times and bad. This experience and
the great people I have met will live with me forever. I owe a
huge debt in particular to all those party members who work
tirelessly for the cause of Labour.
“I retain my faith in the Labour Party as the party that offers
hope to people and that remains the only vehicle for the
realisation of that hope. Whilst I step down from the leadership
today, the work goes on, and I will play my constructive part as
an MSP in winning support for Labour’s vision of a better future
in a democratic economy and a socialist society.”
