By STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

THE Tories are the enemy, the SNP the opposition, says Richard Leonard as he sets out his vision for leading the Labour Party back to power.

Mr Leonard said he will be clear what the party is for, which in his opinion is fighting inequality, working towards full employment and giving power to people.

The former trade union organiser, who only became a MSP at the last Holyrood election, said he will campaign on the same principles he has held for the last 25 years.

The Central Scotland MSP said he wants a Living Wage economy, better conditions for young workers and action to tackle a housing crisis focussing on the private rented sector.

He said the Labour Party’s recent electoral problems, where they have slumped to third place behind the Tories, are the result of mistakes made.

He said: “For too long the Scottish Labour Party has been clear about what it is against but less clear about what it is for.

“I want it to be for hope and a vehicle for realising that hope.

“One reason why there was a big yes vote in the referendum was yes offered the possibility of change. It was a compelling argument for hope and change.”

The policies he will pursue he says will make a difference to the lives of people in Glasgow.

He said: “I’m in favour of an equal society. There is a staggering situation in this city with huge inequality of income and wealth.

“A massive gap in educational attainment and health inequality and a huge gap in life expectancy between rich and poor.

“There is no reason why we cannot tackle this. It is about having a Living Wage economy in Glasgow and tackling the hidden unemployment in Glasgow.”

Mr Leonard said Labour is in competition with the SNP over how best to challenge the Conservatives and aims to convince voters to back Labour to deliver the change they desire.

He said: “The Tories are the enemy, the SNP is the opposition. The Tories are the party of the rape clause, the party of attacks on the most vulnerable the party of the Trade Union act and the biggest assault on workers’ rights since Ted Heath.

“The Tories are still what they have always been and serving the interests of the wealthiest in society, slashing benefits while cutting corporation tax.

“With the SNP it is about winning a battle of ideas. Only Labour that will deliver the change people are crying out for. By the next Scottish election the SNP will have been in power for 14 years and they will fall on their record of delivery.”

He is opposed to independence and would be firmly backing remaining within the UK.

On the prospect of another referendum, he said: “I would be campaigning for a no vote as I did in the last referendum.

“A yes vote is a cul-de-sac. Economic power rests in London and we need to intervene at a level where power is. Independence would thwart the kind of transformational change I want to see.

He said working and housing conditions for young people have worsened and need to be addressed.

He said: “For the last 20 years there has been a huge expansion in the private rented sector some of it in ex council housing.

We have seen the rebirth of private landlords not seen since before the John Wheatley housing act of 1924.

“I want a new rent restriction act. If there is a modernisation r refurbishment then an increase can be justified but people are having increases in rent their housing conditions are deteriorating.”

Mr Leonard was privately educated but said private schools should not have economic advantages.

He said: “Private schools should pay non domestic rates but I wouldn’t remove the choice from parents.”