THE LEADER of Scottish Labour says her party still have a lot more to offer Glasgow and its residents, and she is proud of their track record.

Speaking to the Evening Times, Kezia Dugdale admitted some Glaswegians have told her they do not know what the Labour party represents, and says she does not underestimate the scale of the challenge she faces in her new role.

The Lothian MSP, who was elected as party leader on Saturday following the resignation of Jim Murphy in May, said she was “proud” of her party’s achievements in the city and of council leader Gordon Matheson.

The comments come following Mr Matheson’s announcement, revealed in our paper earlier this week that he plans to step down from his role in September after his failed bid for deputy leadership of the Scottish party.

Ms Dugdale said: “I don’t underestimate the size of the challenge that I face as leader of the party.

“That is as big, if not a bigger issue in Glasgow where we have just lost all of our MPs by quite a whack.

“I think that Gordon Matheson has a very proud record as council leader, he’s done lots of innovative things.

“He brought the Games to the city which is recognised as a universal success.

“He has done really interesting and different things around the apprenticeship agenda, guaranteeing young people in Glasgow work and refurbishing so many houses across the city, making sure the Games delivered for the East End.

“I think as much as this might feel like a period of flux, I’m proud of Labour’s record in Glasgow and I think it has got a lot to offer in the future too.”

The Scottish leader also said it was not up to her to “lord it from above” and direct the Labour group in Glasgow, but added: “I’m a huge fan of devolution. I think the closer power is to people the better decisions you make in their lives.

“That’s why I support devolving more powers from the Scottish parliament down to local authorities. “I also think that local councils should give more powers to local communities, so it’s not for me to tell Glasgow councillors what to do. It’s for the people of Glasgow to tell Glasgow councillors what to do.”

One of Ms Dugdale’s strategies for revamping her party is to rebuild its relationship with trade unions, as well as re-enforcing Labour’s values.

She said it was important to emphasise the importance of trade unions and recognise where her party came from, adding that she would “thoroughly encourage people to be a member of a trade union.”

Ms Dugdale is due to make her first major speech today since she was elected, and is expected to talk about her socialism coming form her own experiences, as well as her role as an advocate for vulnerable children.