ONE of Scotland's biggest trade unions has announced it will back Monica Lennon for Scottish Labour leader.
Voting for Richard Leonard's successor will take place next month, with the winner of the head-to-head contest between MSPs Lennon and Anas Sarwar to be announced on February 27.
Today Unite Scotland has announced its endorsement for Central Scotland MSP Lennon.
In a statement, it said it has "worked closely with Monica Lennon on various issues including the world-leading Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act and protecting the nation’s toxicology unit based at the University of Glasgow".
Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish Secretary, said Lennon "is a person who understands the day to day struggles of working people and the challenges people face in making ends meet".
He commented: "Monica is also a strong supporter of trade unions and it's a combination of these personal and political qualities, which we believe make her absolutely the best placed person to lead a revival of the party’s fortunes in Scotland."
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Responding, Lennon said: "I’m proud to have the endorsement of Unite Scotland in my bid to become leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
"I came into politics to make life better for workers and for people who don’t get a fair start in life.
"As leader of Scottish Labour, my mission will be to deliver the radical social and economic change that Scotland needs.
"It is by working with Unite Scotland, the wider trade union movement and people outside of the corridors of power that I have achieved significant wins in parliament, including routine Covid testing for healthcare workers and a social care workers fund for those needing to self-isolate.
"My leadership is focused on doing things differently and building the people’s recovery that Scotland needs."
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