Katy Clark heads home
If anyone can revitalise the Labour Party in Scotland, it is probably Katy Clark, currently our Westminster MP, who is now looking to add her formidable talents to the Scottish political scene. She has no doubt that Labour’s flagging fortunes are due to its Blairite, blue-rinsed policies and is looking now to become its deputy leader. She pointed out that a poll released a fortnight ago showed that up to 37% of SNP voters could come back to Labour – but only, she said, “by abandoning New Labour for good.”
Katy’s colours are nailed firmly to the mast, and there is nothing blue about them. She will be campaigning for a Living Wage backed by the full force of the law, the decommissioning of Trident, permanent abolition of tuition fees and renationalisation of the railways . She also wants to see free childcare from the age of 12 months. Laying it on the line – and perhaps hinting at some difficult times behind her – Katy said, “Throughout my life I’ve always spoken up for Scotland and for real Labour values even when that’s meant disagreeing with the UK leadership of Labour. I’m not a political insider, nor do I want to be. The next Leader of Scottish Labour should be an MSP – that’s only right – but if we’re going to get real change and a fair deal for Scotland we need someone who won’t just accept the status quo in Westminster. I’ve never done that and I never will.”
