SCOTTISH Labour should have a stronger voice but remain within the UK party, Yvette Cooper has told senior colleagues.
The shadow home secretary became the first of Labour's leadership contenders to campaign in Scotland when she held talks with party chiefs and met a cross section of voters in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
She pledged to support Scottish Labour as it attempts to rebuild after its crushing defeat to the SNP in last month's election.
Ms Cooper, who was born in Inverness and represents the West Yorkshire seat of Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, arranged to meet a number of former Labour supporters who voted for Nicola Sturgeon's party on May 7.
They told her they wanted clear leadership and a more optimistic vision of Scotland's future from Labour.
Ms Cooper also held talks with outgoing Scots party leader Jim Murphy, senior MSPs and councillors and backroom staff.
Speaking afterwards, she said: "Labour has to win again in Scotland - not in 2020, but in 2016 in the Scottish Parliament elections.
"That's why I wanted to come here as early as possible in the leadership campaign.
"Our defeat was profound, and Labour has to reach out and rebuild."
She called for a "strong, vibrant" Scots party but added: "I was born in Inverness, although I grew up in England, and the idea of deep division breaks my heart.
"It goes against all the principles that the Labour Party was built on - solidarity, social justice and equality.
"So I want to support Scottish Labour and make sure we all work together to rebuild our party so we can win again.
"That means listening to our party members, activists and supporters who worked so hard and understand the opposition they faced on the doorstep - and also to those whose votes we lost and want to win back."
She said Labour had to the "champions of devolution" and push for powers to be devolved not only to Holyrood but councils and local communities.
She said Labour needed to challenge the SNP on its record on health.
She accused the Conservatives of "failing to support a fair deal for Scotland".
She added: "We know it will take time but Labour is still a strong party with enduring values and we need to pick ourselves up and reach out so we can win again."
Leadership rivals Andy Burnham and Liz Kendall are expected to campaign in Scotland over the next couple of weeks.
Leadership candidates, also including Mary Creagh, are reported to be split over Labour's approach to the planned in/out EU referendum.
Ms Kendall and Ms Creagh are understood to want Labour to take a leading role in a cross party Yes campaign to keep Britain in the EU.
Mr Burnham and Ms Cooper are among cabinet colleagues wary of joining forces with the Tories after Scottish Labour was criticised for campaigning alongside David Cameron's party in the pro-UK Better Together group.
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