Anas Sarwar hopes Labour can pull off a double victory in two Dundee council by-elections this week, despite admitting his party has “teething problems” in the UK Government.
The Scottish Labour leader was in Lochee visiting Street Soccer Scotland’s “change centre”.
Voters there and in Strathmartine will head to the polling stations on Thursday.
“Dundee, in recent times, has been challenging for Labour,” Mr Sarwar told The Courier.
“But if you look at the last election, and what’s happening in the council elections, it’s clear that Labour is competing again.”
Despite winning a landslide victory at the general election, Sir Keir Starmer’s new UK government has been hit by a series of damaging stories in recent weeks about gifts and donations.
‘Teething problems’
Mr Sarwar conceded: “There’s teething problems, of course.
“Every institution has teething problems when there is change, but you can see the stark contrast already from a government that’s serious about public service and a far-right crank fest that you at the Tory conference.”
But he hopes voters are more occupied by an SNP “record of shame” on policies such as housing.
“Change is not easy,” he added.
“It’s difficult but it’s worth it. It will make a difference to you, your family, your local community and your country. That’s what I’m in it for.”
Lee Mills, the SNP’s Lochee candidate, said Labour betrayed pensioners on winter fuel payments.
“Voters have an opportunity to send Labour a message on Thursday by voting SNP,” he said.
“To say that they oppose Labour’s winter fuel cuts, are appalled by Labour’s freebies scandal, and reject Labour imposing austerity cuts on Scotland.”
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