A THIRD Scottish Labour MSP has launched their bid to be leader of the party in Scotland following the resignation of Anas Sarwar.
Joe Fagan, regional Scottish Labour MSP for South Scotland since May 2026, launched his bid on Tuesday, saying that "continuity won’t cut it" and vowed to "win back trust".
It comes as the Scottish Labour Party confirmed a new leader will be elected by September 19.
Michael Marra, the party’s finance spokesman, and Monica Lennon, who will be offered Sarwar’s Glasgow list seat, have also launched their bids for the top job.
Fagan was previously suspended from his role as leader of South Lanarkshire Council after he was found to have leaked information to the press for “political gain”.
He was handed a two-month suspension after an investigation by the Standards Commission for Scotland found he had released a list of leisure and culture facilities identified for closure under the previous SNP administration.
Although there was evidence that Fagan “disagreed strongly” with the closure plans, the panel also believed the leak was motivated “at least in part, for political gain” given the backdrop of the Holyrood election.
Setting out his stance in his leadership launch, Fagan said: “Scottish Labour needs to learn lessons from where we have won, not just where we have lost.
“Andy Burnham’s by-election victory in Makerfield and our own successes in South Lanarkshire show that Labour can win back trust when we are rooted in communities and serious about changing people’s lives.
“The lesson is simple: people will listen to Scottish Labour again when we stop sounding like a party talking to itself and start proving that we are on their side.
“As a local council leader I worked across party lines to make swimming free for South Lanarkshire’s under-16s, to cut the cost of living and deliver the best paid home care workforce in the country.
“I am not here to wait around. As my track record shows, I am here to get things done.
“That means more money in people’s pockets, better services on their doorstep and a politics that puts practical change ahead of excuses.
“I am standing to unite our party and seize this municipal moment.
“I want us to back the workers and the wealth builders who hold the key to our future shared prosperity.
“I want to build local wealth and local power and renew Labour as a force for change within the Scottish Parliament and without.
“That means trusting people, backing communities and putting power closer to the people who know their places best.
“I know my campaign is bold, but continuity won’t cut it. It’s time to reach out beyond the Holyrood bubble and shake up Scottish politics.”
Nominations will officially open for two weeks from Monday August 3, with party members and supporters being balloted from August 28 to September 17 before a leader is announced on September 19.
