Now is the time for Scottish Labour to do something different because continuity will simply not cut it, argues Brian Leishman MP.

A radical change in political direction is required if we are to once again win the trust of working-class communities up and down the country.

That is why I have nominated Monica Lennon in this leadership race. She has a proven track record, delivering positive change from opposition in Holyrood.

It was her conviction and determination which led to Scotland becoming the first country in the world with universal free access to period products. That is exactly the kind of difference a Scottish Labour party rooted in democratic socialism should be making.

As we are dealing with a climate emergency, there will be numerous challenges around environmental changes and Monica’s wealth of experience as a former planning professional is also a key strength.

Scotland must rapidly adapt to emerging opportunities and threats from new technology and industries. Planning laws and regulations are out of date – think of the numerous applications for hyperscale AI data centres around the country, including next to Forth Valley Royal Hospital in the constituency I represent.

Monica already has a fantastic record championing the environment, as in the previous parliamentary term her Ecocide Bill would have legislated to make ecocide a crime.

A consistent advocate for workers in their fight for fair pay and better conditions, Monica is rooted in the trade union movement and campaigned with trade unions to ensure social workers received full sick pay during the pandemic.

Monica would also be a leader who could unite the Party in Scotland and win back members who have left in the last few years.

We must face the reality that in the last two decades, we have returned fewer MSPs at every Scottish election. It would be easy to pin this May’s disastrous results on the now former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but that is only part of the story.

The truth is that the Scottish Labour Party has an identity crisis: voters simply do not know what, or who our Party stands for. Many people consider the Party to have lost its soul.

But I know Monica, and I know what she stands for and I know that she would change our Party, so we are better engaged with our grassroots membership because that is where our Party’s strength lies.

Many of them are looking for bold new policies that will transform communities for the better: practical solutions, like the free period products, expanding social housing to tackle shortages, proper funding for public services and a green energy revolution that guarantees a just transition, working with trade unions and communities.

As Monica says, Scottish Labour must once again be a movement that is unashamedly for the working-class, organising with trade unions and groups in the community – and not just as a token offering during an election campaign once every five years.

After years of decline, trust must now be earned again. Monica knows how to listen as much as she knows how to speak. She knows how to build support and how to improve people’s lives.

Monica is someone who does not campaign on a platform of fear and scapegoating. Instead, she campaigns on a platform of policy and positive change, tackling issues head-on.

She has the vision. She has the talent and the skills. And most importantly, Monica has the conviction to do right by people and communities. She is the only chance we have to turn the tide and take the fight to the SNP.

Image: Source: Monica Lennon. Author: Global Justice Now, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.