Anas Sarwar has declared his support for Jeremy Corbyn as he confirmed he will run in the Scottish Labour leadership contest.
The Glasgow MSP, a centrist who backed Owen Smith over Mr Corbyn in last year’s battle to lead the UK party, warned against in-fighting in a plea for unity.
So far Mr Sarwar – who admitted the election is one that “nobody wanted” – is up against Richard Leonard, a former trade union organiser who is fiercely loyal to Mr Corbyn.
Fears have been raised the Scottish contest will descend into a proxy war for the deep divisions between left-wingers and centrists down south.
Announcing his candidacy, Mr Sarwar said: “Labour is revitalised in Scotland and I am ready to unite our party and lead us back to power.
“The people of Scotland do not need a Labour Party that is fighting itself.
“They need a united Labour Party in Holyrood that is fighting the SNP and ready to form Scotland’s next government.
“And they need a united Labour Party across the UK working together to elect Jeremy Corbyn as Prime Minister.”
Mr Leonard, who was elected to Holyrood last year, revealed on Sunday he would stand.
He hailed the progress under Mr Corbyn and said Scottish Labour should be more “audacious” to win back support.
In a radio in interview on Monday, Mr Leonard said Scottish Labour had failed to capitalise on the UK leader’s growing popularity in the campaign, which has become known as the “Corbyn bounce”.
He said: “There was an opportunity, I think in all honesty, the Scottish Labour Party missed.
“I think there was a Corbyn bounce, I don’t think it was picked up soon enough and acted on quickly enough in Scotland.”
