Labour’s UK leader Ed Miliband and Scottish leader Iain Gray have launched a “doorstep election” campaign Scottish Labour Iain Gray is launching his party’s “doorstep election” campaign, as it seeks a return to power at next May’s Holyrood elections.
At his party’s Scottish conference in Oban, Mr Gray will pledge to take the campaign to 100,000 homes between now and the New Year.
In his first Scottish conference speech as leader, Ed Miliband will attack the SNP over “broken promises” in power.
The party has been out of power in Scotland since the SNP’s 2007 victory.
Mr Gray is also reiterating his pledge for a “living wage” of at least £7.15 for all workers, which will form a key part of the next Scottish Labour manifesto.
And he said that during the last UK election – which saw Labour lose power but hang on to all its seats in Scotland – the constituencies which saw the biggest swing to the party were where activists spoke to the most people.
“The next Scottish election will be the doorstep election and I pledge to take Labour’s campaign to 100,000 doors,” said Mr Gray.
“We are going to get the message out that a Labour government will make sure everybody gets a fair wage.”
He went on: “There are going to be difficult decisions ahead and there will have to be pay restraint in the public sector, especially at the top, but Labour values demand we protect the lowest paid.”
‘Left behind’
Mr Gray said the living wage would be introduced in the public sector, followed by a campaign for it to be adopted elsewhere.
First Minister Alex Salmond matched the commitment at the recent SNP conference for those employed by the state.
In his speech, Mr Miliband will attack the SNP government for a record of “broken promises”, on issues such as class sizes and hospitals.
“Narrow nationalism has nothing to offer to meeting the challenges of the 21st century,” he will say.
“Let’s face it, across the world, the debate has changed since the financial crisis. Who is left behind? The Scottish National Party.
“While we’re fighting for jobs and hope, they are fighting to break up Britain.
“They have let down the people of Scotland. And Scotland deserves better.”
Mr Gray will be interviewed in a live BBC webcast from 0900-0930, using questions sent in from readers, listeners and viewers.
It can been seen at www.bbc.co.uk/scotlandnews.
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