Labour will fight next year's Holyrood election with a "clear" message that it opposes another referendum on Scottish independence, Richard Leonard has said.
The party leader also dismissed speculation over his own future after a series of polls suggested Labour will once again finish third in the Scottish Parliament in terms of seats.
Leonard's firm commitment to oppose an IndyRef2 came on the same day a survey by Panelbase found that 55% of Scots would vote Yes if another referendum on independence was to take place.
The party's position on the constitution has frequently been criticised as unclear, with former UK leader Jeremy Corbyn and his deputy John McDonnell both suggesting they would support an IndyRef2 if it meant SNP MPs supported a minority Labour government in Westminster.
New UK leader Keir Starmer has previously said that breaking up the UK would be "the wrong thing to do" at a time of sharply rising unemployment.
Speaking to ITV Border today, Leonard said: "We are clearly saying that we are opposed to a second independence referendum.
"The entire focus and dedication of the next Scottish Parliament and the next Scottish Government should be on rebuilding the economy and revitalising our public services.
"It should be looking at how we can build a better care system, which has been exposed as being fragmented and weak.
"These are the priorities for the next five years. It's not indepenence. It's not constitutional change. We should not get bogged down in a debate for the next five years in a wrangle between an SNP and Tory administration."
He continued: "What I'm saying is the position of the Scottish Labour party is clear - we are going into next year's election saying we are standing on a platform saying we are opposing a second independence refernedum."
A damning report into Scottish Labour last week flagged up Leonard’s low profile and praised the “highly effective” Nicola Sturgeon.
Party figures believe he has failed in the job and want him to stand down.
But asked if he was considering his position, Leonard said: "I was elected less than three years ago with a strong mandate from the members to lead the party into next year's election.
"We had a period where we had five leaders in six years, and the Tories have had three leaders in one year in Scotland.
"I think people are looking for consistency, they are looking for stability, and they are looking for a clear message from the Scottish Labour party."
Reacting to Leonard's comments, SNP MSP Gillian Martin said: "History never looks kindly on people who stand in the way of democracy."
