Ahead of today’s leadership hustings in Scotland, Owen Smith explains how he would deliver for Scotland if he was elected the party’s leader.
As a Welshman, I always love the chance to visit Scotland. Yet this time as I head up for the Scottish Labour leadership hustings I’m especially excited. It’s an opportunity for me to set out my vision for Labour’s future to party members and supporters, who I know are desperate for us to move through this moment of crisis and start winning again, in Scotland and across the UK.
In Kezia, Scottish Labour has one of the most talented politicians in the country, she’s a breath of fresh air and has a clear sense of how we can turn things around. So I’m thrilled that she’s backing me in this contest, not least because she is the most senior elected Labour woman in the country.
Read more: Tensions rise as Jeremy Corbyn takes on Owen Smith at Scottish hustings
However, I know that it’s ideas, passion and principles people are interested in, not personalities. So I’m proud that at the core of my campaign is a plan to replace failed Tory austerity, with a real programme for Labour prosperity,. That's because it’s not enough to just have slogans saying you’re anti-austerity, you must show what Labour will do instead.
A key part of my plan would be a £200bn British New Deal – a huge investment fund to renew our country, providing £20bn through the Barnett formula for Scotland. It would of course be for the Scottish Government to decide how this money is spent, but it would offer a major opportunity to invest in giving the next generation the skills they need and making sure our older people are properly looked after.
I’m also promising to make taxation much fairer. Super wealthy individuals and corporations continued to do incredibly well since the economic crash, while many ordinary people struggle to make ends meet.
So I will put more fairness in the tax system, by bringing back the 50p top rate of tax - reversing the Tories’ tax cut for millionaires. Yet the SNP are refusing to back that plan and are instead backing the Tories tax cut for the wealthiest.
Read more: Tensions rise as Jeremy Corbyn takes on Owen Smith at Scottish hustings
I would also introduce a new wealth tax, which would mean the top 1% - very richest in the UK – pay a bit extra in, to fund an increase in funding for public services.
At the same time as fixing our tax system, I’ll take big steps to give workers a real boost. This will include, introducing a living wage of £8.25 an hour in Scotland and rising to over £10, banning zero hours contracts and scrapping the deeply unfair Trade Union Act. Making the world of work fairer for everyone.
These are just some of the radical policies I’m sure can win support in Scotland and across the UK. As Labour leader I’ll work tirelessly to return us to government, so we don't just talk about principles, but put them in to practice.
Read more: Tensions rise as Jeremy Corbyn takes on Owen Smith at Scottish hustings
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