{{short description|Former Leader of the Scottish Labour Party}} {{about other people|the former Scottish Labour leader|Richard Leonard}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Use British English|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Richard Leonard | image = RichardLeonardMSP.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2016 | honorific_suffix = | office = [[Leader of the Scottish Labour Party]] | 1blankname = [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|UK party leader]] | 1namedata = {{ubl|[[Jeremy Corbyn]]|[[Keir Starmer]]}} | deputy = {{ubl|[[Lesley Laird]]|[[Jackie Baillie]]}} | term_start = 18 November 2017 | term_end = 14 January 2021 | predecessor = [[Kezia Dugdale]]{{efn|[[Alex Rowley]] acted from 29 August 2017 to 15 November 2017 followed by [[Jackie Baillie]] from 15 to 18 November 2017}} | successor = [[Anas Sarwar]]{{efn|[[Jackie Baillie]] acted from 14 January 2021 to 27 February 2021}} | office1 = Convener of the [[Committees of the Scottish Parliament|Public Audit Committee]] | term_start1 = 23 June 2021 | term_end1 = 8 April 2026 | predecessor1 = [[Jenny Marra]] | successor1 = | office2 = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Central Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Central Scotland]]<br />{{nobold|(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)}} | term_start2 = 5 May 2016 | term_end2 = 9 April 2026 | office3 = Scottish Labour portfolios | suboffice3 = Shadow Minister for Economy | subterm3 = 2016–2017 | suboffice4 = [[Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work|Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work]] | subterm4 = 2018–2021 | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1962|01}} | birth_place = [[Westow]], [[East Riding of Yorkshire]], England | death_date = | death_place = | party = [[Scottish Labour]] | education = [[Pocklington School]] | alma_mater = [[University of Stirling]] | spouse = Karen Leonard | children = 1 son, 1 stepdaughter | website = {{URL|https://www.richardleonard.scot|Official website}} }} '''Richard Leonard''' (born January 1962) is a British politician who served as [[Leader of the Scottish Labour Party]] from [[2017 Scottish Labour leadership election|2017]] to [[2021 Scottish Labour leadership election|2021]]. He served as a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP), as one of the additional members for the [[Central Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Central Scotland]] region, from [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016]] to [[2026 Scottish Parliament election|2026]]. He ideologically identifies as a socialist, democrat and internationalist.
Born and raised in [[Yorkshire]], Leonard won a scholarship to be educated at [[Pocklington School]]. He moved to Scotland in the 1980s to study Politics and Economics at the [[University of Stirling]]. Following his graduation, he worked as an aide to [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] politician [[Alex Falconer (Scottish politician)|Alex Falconer]] before working as a trade unionist for the [[Scottish Trades Union Congress]] and [[GMB (trade union)|GMB Scotland]]. From 2002 to 2003, he served as Chair of the Scottish Labour Party when he was active in opposing the [[Iraq War]]. After unsuccessfully contesting [[Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley]] in [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|2011]], he was elected at the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election]] on the [[Central Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Central Scotland]] regional list.
Leonard defeated [[Anas Sarwar]] to win the [[2017 Scottish Labour leadership election]], succeeding [[Kezia Dugdale]], and he later took on the role of [[Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work|Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work]]. After replacing [[Jackie Baillie]] in a 2018 frontbench reshuffle, Baillie was [[2020 Scottish Labour deputy leadership election|elected as his new deputy leader in 2020]]. A supporter of [[Jeremy Corbyn]],<!--WP:LEADCITE--> Leonard was credited for shifting Scottish Labour leftwards but criticised for poor results at the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2019 European Parliament election]] and [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]]. He faced a motion of no confidence in his leadership in 2020 but the motion failed to gain enough support. He remained as leader until standing down in January 2021 prior to the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]].
== Early life and career == Leonard was born in January 1962 in [[Westow]], [[East Riding of Yorkshire]] and raised in the market town of [[Malton, North Yorkshire|Malton]], [[North Yorkshire]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-leader-richard-leonard-12598151|title=Richard Leonard tells how 38 years in Scotland fuelled his dream of change|last=Brown|first=Annie|date=26 May 2018|work=Daily Record|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/Tp40ygCU5uNUre1rMYbf6g65eAY/appointments|title=Richard LEONARD – Personal Appointments|website=Companies House|access-date=16 February 2020}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/16320408.scottish-labour-leader-richard-leonard-commits-to-improving-wages-and-boosting-public-services-in-rural-scotland/|title=Scottish Labour determined to tackle inequality and poverty in rural Scotland|work=The Scottish Farmer|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref><ref name="Would">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/would-be-labour-leader-cant-help-his-english-past-d6d058l0x|title=Would-be Labour leader 'can't help his English past'|last1=Macdonell|first1=Hamish|date=5 September 2017|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=5 September 2017}}</ref> He is the son of Derek, a tailor and member of the [[National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers|Tailor and Garment Workers Union]], and Janet, who looked after him and his two sisters.<ref name=":15">{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/interview-scottish-labour-leader-richard-leonard-1-4700180|title=Interview: Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard|work=The Scotsman|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref> From the age of 11, he was educated at the independent, fee-paying [[Pocklington School]] in the [[East Riding of Yorkshire]], having received a [[local education authority]] scholarship.<ref name="Would" /><ref name="row">{{cite news|last1=Boothman|first1=John|last2=Allardyce|first2=Jason|title=English row in Scots Labour race|url=https://www.thetimes.com/edition/scotland/english-row-in-scots-labour-race-tc8n9vxjs|access-date=2 September 2017|work=[[The Times]]|date=3 September 2017}}</ref> As a young boy, his first job was picking potatoes in Autumn.<ref name=":0" /> He was inspired politically in his youth by ''Arguments for Socialism'' written by [[Tony Benn]], a leftist [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] and former cabinet minister.<ref name=":1" /> He was further influenced by ''Farewell to the Working Class'' and ''Critique of Economic Reason'' by Austrian philosopher [[André Gorz]], as well as the works of early socialist novelist [[William Morris]].<ref name=":7">{{cite web|last=Sarkar|first=Ash|title=Can Labour win in Scotland? {{!}} Ash Sarkar Meets Richard Leonard MSP|date=26 June 2019|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DhGZJ2qOj0|website=Novara Media|access-date=29 June 2019}}</ref>
Leonard studied Politics and Economics at the [[University of Stirling]], where he was a member of the Labour club and president of the Students' Association.<ref name=":2" /> He was a contemporary of future [[First Minister of Scotland]] [[Jack McConnell]] and they shared a flat together for a time following graduation.<ref name=":15" /> While a student, he had a summer job weeding wheat fields in [[Suffolk]], [[East Anglia]], after his family moved south to help his father find work.<ref name=":0" /> After university, he went on to spend five years working as an aide to [[Alex Falconer (Scottish politician)|Alex Falconer]], [[Member of the European Parliament]] for [[Mid Scotland and Fife (European Parliament constituency)|Mid Scotland and Fife]].<ref name=":2">{{cite news|url=https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-d1c2-Whos-who-on-the-Scottish-Labour-left|title=Who's who on the Scottish Labour left|date=3 May 2016|work=Morning Star|access-date=30 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830235256/https://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-d1c2-Whos-who-on-the-Scottish-Labour-left|archive-date=30 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/trade-union-organiser-selected-labour-7186568|title=Trade union man will be Labour candidate for Airdrie in May's Scottish election|last=Tonner|first=Judith|date=16 January 2016|work=Daily Record|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> He then spent a further five years as head of economics and assistant secretary for the [[Scottish Trades Union Congress]].<ref name=":10" /> He then worked for 20 years as a [[GMB (trade union)|GMB Scotland]] industrial organiser, a role in which he represented women, apprentices and young people on low pay.<ref name=":9">{{cite news|title=Richard Leonard: the right choice for Scottish Labour|url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/richard-leonard-right-choice-scottish-labour|last=Findlay|first=Neil|date=16 October 2017|work=Morning Star|access-date=31 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=":10" />
== Early political career == Throughout Leonard's working life, he was active in the [[Scottish Labour Party]], including serving as election agent for [[Anne McGuire]] in [[Stirling (UK Parliament constituency)|Stirling]] at the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]] where they unseated [[Secretary of State for Scotland]] [[Michael Forsyth, Baron Forsyth of Drumlean|Michael Forsyth]] by 6,411 votes. Leonard served as Chair of the Scottish Labour Party from 2002 to 2003 but opposed the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], marching against the [[Iraq War|war]] and describing the bombing of Baghdad as "awful".<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":14">{{cite web |title=Richard Leonard |url=https://scottishlabour.org.uk/people/richard-leonard/ |access-date=9 August 2019 |website=Scottish Labour }}</ref>
Leonard stood as the Labour candidate for [[Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley]] at the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election]] but lost to the [[Scottish National Party]]'s [[Adam Ingram (SNP politician)|Adam Ingram]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Kezia Dugdale accuses Scottish Labour leader of censorship |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/kezia-dugdale-accuses-scottish-labour-leader-of-censorship-1-4884325 |work=The Scotsman #}}</ref> At the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election]], he contested [[Airdrie and Shotts (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Airdrie and Shotts]]. The SNP's [[Alex Neil (politician)|Alex Neil]] held the seat but Leonard was elected as a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] as one of seven additional members for the [[Central Scotland (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Central Scotland]] region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/central-scotland-msp-richard-leonard-11121162|title=Central Scotland MSP Richard Leonard sets out his case for Scottish Labour leadership|last=Tonner|first=Judith|date=6 September 2017|work=Daily Record|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-regions/S17000009|title=Election 2016: Central Scotland. Scottish Parliament region|work=BBC News|date=6 May 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422015300/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-regions/S17000009|archive-date=22 April 2016}}</ref> Shortly after his election as an MSP, he was given a junior role on the Scottish Labour frontbench as Shadow Economy Minister by leader [[Kezia Dugdale]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,scottish-labour-shadow-cabinet-kezia-dugdale-unveils-new-frontbench-team_7047.htm|title=Scottish Labour shadow cabinet: Kezia Dugdale unveils new frontbench team|date=3 October 2019|work=Holyrood Magazine|access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> He supported [[Jeremy Corbyn]] in the [[2016 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2016 UK Labour Party leadership election]].<ref name="scotsman.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/what-we-learned-from-the-scottish-labour-leadership-hustings-1-4566111|title=What we learned from the Scottish Labour leadership hustings|work=The Scotsman|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921135646/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/what-we-learned-from-the-scottish-labour-leadership-hustings-1-4566111|archive-date=21 September 2017}}</ref>
== Leader of the Scottish Labour Party ==
=== 2017 Scottish Labour Party leadership election === The [[2017 Scottish Labour Party leadership election]] was triggered by the sudden resignation of Kezia Dugdale in August. During the campaign to decide her successor, [[BBC News]] described Leonard as more [[left-wing]] than his rival, [[Anas Sarwar]].<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41332462|title=Sarwar denies being 'one of the few'|work=BBC News|date=20 September 2017|access-date=18 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921124957/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41332462|archive-date=21 September 2017}}</ref> Leonard received celebrity endorsement from cult comic book scribe [[Mark Millar]], known for [[Kick-Ass (comic book)|''Kick-Ass'']] and [[Kingsman (franchise)|''Kingsman'']], who said he was "the most exciting thing to happen up here in decades".<ref>{{cite web|last=Rattansi|first=Afshin|title=Mark Millar on why he voted for Richard Leonard in the Scottish Labour Leadership Election|date=13 November 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIbQ2FhuOfs|work=Going Underground|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> On 18 November 2017, it was announced he had been elected as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, receiving 56.7% of the vote on a 62.3% turnout.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42024155|title=Richard Leonard to lead Scottish Labour|date=18 November 2017|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118085350/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42024155|archive-date=18 November 2017|url-status=live|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/18/richard-leonard-voted-scottish-labour-leader|title=Richard Leonard voted Scottish Labour leader|work=The Guardian|date=18 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118120522/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/18/richard-leonard-voted-scottish-labour-leader|archive-date=18 November 2017}}</ref>
Only a few hours after the leadership election result was declared, Kezia Dugdale announced she was set to join reality TV game show ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK series 17)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]].'' This would mean she would be in Australia for several weeks while the Scottish Parliament was still in session. Leonard said he would discuss with Labour MSPs whether she would be suspended for failing to notify the party.<ref>{{cite news|last=Carrell|first=Severin|date=18 November 2017|title=Richard Leonard wins Scottish Labour leadership in decisive victory|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/18/richard-leonard-voted-scottish-labour-leader|url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118120522/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/nov/18/richard-leonard-voted-scottish-labour-leader|archive-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> It was decided she would not be suspended but, instead, sent a written warning from Scottish Labour Parliamentary Business Manager [[James Kelly (Scottish politician)|James Kelly]]. When she returned from Australia, she met with Leonard and other colleagues and released a statement expressing regret at her announcement overshadowing Leonard's victory. She also donated the earnings from her MSP's salary while absent, as well as part of the money earned from the show, to charity.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brooks|first=Libby|date=13 December 2017|title=Kezia Dugdale 'deeply regrets' effect of Celebrity trip on successor's first weeks in job|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/13/kezia-dugdale-getting-back-to-work-after-im-a-celebrity-trip|access-date=4 August 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
=== Early leadership: 2017–2019 === [[File:Jeremy Corbyn election infobox 2.jpg|left|170px|thumb|Leonard was an ally of Labour leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]]]]In December 2017, Leonard announced his new Shadow Cabinet. [[Jackie Baillie]], Scottish Labour's longest-serving constituency MSP, was appointed as [[Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work|Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work]]. Leonard's former leadership rival Anas Sarwar was kept as [[Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport|Shadow Health and Sport Secretary]]. [[Neil Findlay]], a close ally of both Leonard and Jeremy Corbyn, was made [[Cabinet Secretary for Government Business and Constitutional Relations|Shadow Brexit and Constitutional Relations Secretary]].<ref>{{cite web|date=19 December 2017|title=New Scottish shadow cabinet in full|url=https://labourlist.org/2017/12/richard-leonards-new-scottish-shadow-cabinet/|access-date=11 August 2019|website=LabourList}}</ref> The announcement of [[Elaine Smith (Scottish politician)|Elaine Smith]] as a [[Opposition Shadow Cabinets of the Scottish Parliament|shadow equality minister]] was controversial. A practising Roman Catholic, she had a record of opposing same-sex marriage, likening it to polygamy in 2013. Leonard said he disagreed with her position on same-sex marriage but felt her criticisms of wealth disparity justified her appointment.<ref>{{cite news|date=9 January 2018|title=Scottish Labour leader shrugs off criticism over equality spokesperson who opposes gay equality|work=Pink News|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/01/09/scottish-labour-leader-shrugs-off-criticism-over-equality-spokesperson-who-opposes-gay-equality/|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref>
Leonard somewhat distanced himself from Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, saying "I'm too long in the tooth to be a Corbynista".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/scotland/2017/10/scottish-labour-s-richard-leonard-i-m-too-long-tooth-be-corbynista|title=Scottish Labour's Richard Leonard: "I'm too long in the tooth to be a Corbynista"|work=New Statesman|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106104936/https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/scotland/2017/10/scottish-labour-s-richard-leonard-i-m-too-long-tooth-be-corbynista|archive-date=6 November 2017|url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> However, in his 2018 [[Labour Party Conference]] speech, he "confessed" to voting for Corbyn to be leader both in [[2015 Labour Party leadership election (UK)|2015]] and 2016 because he believed Scotland would need a radical Corbyn government.<ref name=":6">{{cite web|title=Richard Leonard's speech to Labour Conference|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2Eq0OBE5_4|website=Scottish Labour| date=24 September 2018 |access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> Under his leadership, Scottish Labour would also go on to adopt the "For the Many, Not the Few" branding of the UK Labour Party.<ref name=":3" />
President of the United States [[Donald Trump]], whose mother was Scottish, travelled to Scotland during his July 2018 UK state visit. Leonard attended protests in Glasgow and outside the Scottish Parliament opposing the visit because of Trump's attitudes and actions towards women, ethnic minorities and the poor.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Donald Trump has united Scotland in contempt|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2018/07/how-donald-trump-has-united-scotland-contempt|access-date=22 July 2020|work=New Statesman}}</ref> Trump returned to Scotland while on a June 2019 royal visit and Leonard spoke at a protest rally outside [[St Giles' Cathedral]] in Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-scotland-48521478/protests-against-donald-trump-held-in-glasgow-and-edinburgh|title=Anti-Trump protests in Scotland|work=BBC News|access-date=4 September 2019}}</ref>
In September 2018, Scottish Labour cut funding for Kezia Dugdale's defence in a defamation case by video games journalist and nationalist blogger [[Stuart Campbell (game journalist)|Stuart Campbell]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-45588303|title=Labour cut funding for Dugdale court case|work=BBC News|date=20 September 2018|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> They had previously promised not to do so and there was controversy over whether the decision was encouraged by the UK party.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/labour-hits-back-in-kezia-dugdale-legal-fees-row-1-4807483|title=Labour hits back in Kezia Dugdale legal fees row|work=The Scotsman|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> Dugdale subsequently won the case on the grounds of principle of fair comment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Brooks|first=Libby|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/17/kezia-dugdale-wins-case-against-accusation-of-defamation|title=Kezia Dugdale wins case against accusation of defamation|date=17 April 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 June 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In leaked messages, [[Edinburgh South (UK Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh South]] MP [[Ian Murray (British politician)|Ian Murray]] wrote, "Ultimately she won her case and the party lost £80,000 as they would've got their costs had they kept their promise." He also wrote the decision was the "final straw" which caused her to leave Holyrood in 2019 and he angrily derided the Scottish Labour leadership as "full of thugs and incompetents".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17619435.scottish-labour-mp-my-party-is-full-of-thugs-and-incompetents/|title=Scottish Labour MP: my party is full of 'thugs and incompetents'|work=Herald Scotland|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>
Leonard carried out a frontbench reshuffle in October 2018, following a series of negative briefings by MSPs close to Kezia Dugdale.<ref name=":12">{{cite news|title=Richard Leonard stamps his authority on Scottish Labour with high-stakes reshuffle|work=New Statesman|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/devolution/2018/10/richard-leonard-stamps-his-authority-scottish-labour-high-stakes|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref> He took on the role of Shadow Economy Secretary, dismissing Jackie Baillie. Anas Sarwar was replaced by [[Monica Lennon]], who was succeeded as [[Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government|Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary]] by [[Alex Rowley]]. Both Lennon and Rowley had been allies of Leonard, and ally Neil Findlay was given the added role of Parliamentary Business Manager.<ref>{{cite news|date=4 October 2018|title=Scottish Labour's new 2018 shadow cabinet in full|work=Holyrood Magazine|url=https://www.holyrood.com/articles/inside-politics/scottish-labours-new-2018-shadow-cabinet-full|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref> Critics of Leonard briefed the reshuffle was a purge of moderate MSPs. They also criticised how Baillie and Sarwar found out about their dismissals; Baillie by phone five minutes before it was publicly announced and Sarwar over Twitter while attending a Holyrood chamber debate. Leonard said the reshuffle was necessary to refresh his frontbench and ensure unity among its members.<ref name=":13">{{cite news|last=Brooks|first=Libby|date=4 October 2018|title=Scottish Labour leader sacks two MSPs in 'purge' reshuffle|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/04/scottish-labour-leader-sacks-two-msps-in-purge-reshuffle|access-date=1 August 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Former government minister [[Hugh Henry]] defended Leonard, arguing Baillie and Sarwar had both been disloyal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hugh Henry: Why Richard Leonard had to sack Baillie and Sarwar|work=The Scotsman|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/hugh-henry-why-richard-leonard-had-to-sack-baillie-and-sarwar-1-4810443|access-date=11 August 2019}}</ref>
Following the resignation of Kezia Dugdale from the [[Scottish Parliament]] in 2019, former MSP and Transport Minister [[Sarah Boyack]] took her place on the [[Lothian (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Lothian]] regional list. In the September, Leonard appointed her Shadow Local Government Secretary. He moved Alex Rowley to cover Brexit and constitutional relations and moved [[Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government|Shadow Finance Secretary]] James Kelly to cover justice. He also brought on [[North Ayrshire|North Ayrshire Council]] leader Joe Cullinane as head of campaigns and party engagement. Leonard said the additions would strengthen his core team but admitted Scottish Labour would still "need to make a strong case" to win back voters.<ref name=":20">{{cite news|title=Scottish Labour reshuffle as Sarah Boyack returns to frontline politics|work=The Scotsman|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-labour-reshuffle-as-sarah-boyack-returns-to-frontline-politics-1-4995872|access-date=4 September 2019}}</ref>
In April 2019, Anas Sarwar's case against [[Rutherglen]] councillor Davie McLachlan, who allegedly said "Scotland wouldn't vote for a brown Muslim Paki", was dropped by the National Constitutional Committee on a technicality. In public support of Sarwar, Leonard said, "We have doubled the size of the National Constitutional Committee which hears these cases but, as this case shows, clearly more still needs to be done".<ref>{{cite news|last=Andrews|first=Kieran|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/richard-leonard-labour-complaints-procedure-flawed-9xl78sjr8|title=Richard Leonard: Labour complaints procedure flawed|date=2 May 2019|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=5 June 2019|issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
At the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|2019 Edinburgh Fringe]], [[Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer]] [[John McDonnell]] insisted a Labour government would not block the holding of a [[Proposed second Scottish independence referendum|second Scottish independence referendum]] if the Scottish Parliament voted for one. These remarks met with opposition from Leonard and other Scottish Labour colleagues.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/labour-independence-row-as-richard-leonard-rejects-claim-party-wouldn-t-block-referendum-1-4978394|title=Labour independence row as Richard Leonard rejects claim party wouldn't block referendum|work=The Scotsman|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/john-mcdonnell-doubles-down-on-opposition-to-blocking-a-second-independence-referendum-1-4978804|title=John McDonnell doubles down on opposition to blocking a second independence referendum|work=The Scotsman|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> This caused Jeremy Corbyn to issue a statement that a Scottish Parliament vote could not be the only requirement for a new mandate, other requirements had yet to be met and, if they were met, a referendum would still not be priority for an incoming government. Both Leonard and McDonnell accepted Corbyn's decision on the matter, which was a compromise between their two positions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-labour-reach-agreement-with-jeremy-corbyn-over-second-independence-referendum-1-4993235|title=Scottish Labour 'reach agreement' with Jeremy Corbyn over second independence referendum|work=The Scotsman|access-date=12 October 2019}}</ref>
=== 2019 European Parliament election and aftermath: April–September 2019 === Leonard led Scottish Labour into the [[2019 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2019 European Parliament election]] with the party inheriting, from [[2014 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|2014]], two of the six seats in [[Scotland (European Parliament constituency)|Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/eu-regions/S15000001|title=Scotland (European Parliament constituency)|website=BBC News|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> [[David Martin (Scottish politician)|David Martin]], an MEP since [[1984 European Parliament election in the United Kingdom|1984]], was first on the party list and former MSP [[Jayne Baxter]] succeeded [[Catherine Stihler]] as second.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47983523|title=Scottish Labour announce EU election candidates|work=BBC News|date=18 April 2019|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> The campaign was managed by Neil Findlay.<ref name=":11">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48435192|title=Two MSPs quit Scottish Labour front bench|work=BBC News|date=28 May 2019|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> Scottish Labour vowed to pursue a "soft Brexit", consistent with the UK party.<ref name=":4">{{cite news|title=Interview: Richard Leonard speaks to Paul Hutcheon after his worst ever week|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17678953.interview-richard-leonard-speaks-to-paul-hutcheon-after-his-worst-ever-week/|access-date=5 June 2019|work=Herald Scotland}}</ref> This was heavily challenged by the overtly pro-Remain SNP, as well as an insurgent [[Brexit Party]].<ref name=":16" /> Brexit compounded an issue already facing Scottish Labour in the wake of the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum]]; its loss of [[Scottish nationalism|nationalist]] support to the SNP and [[Unionism in Scotland|unionist]] support to the [[Scottish Conservatives]].<ref name=":16">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/21/scottish-tories-fear-nigel-farage-trash-resurgence-european-elections-brexit-party-eu|title=Scottish Tories fear Farage could stall their resurgence|last1=Carrell|first1=Severin|date=21 May 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=10 August 2019|last2=Brooks|first2=Libby|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
In leaked WhatsApp messages, the "soft Brexit" position taken by Leonard's campaign was criticised by Shadow Minister for Scotland [[Paul Sweeney]], who wrote, "If it's like this then it's a bad misjudgement and I'm having nothing to do with it... Let's hope the NEC [<nowiki/>[[National Executive Committee of the Labour Party|National Executive Committee]]] kill this bullshit line." [[Rutherglen and Hamilton West]] MP [[Ged Killen]] wrote that the stance had given the SNP "a new lease of life" and [[East Lothian (UK Parliament constituency)|East Lothian]] MP [[Martin Whitfield]] added that Labour was at risk of being "dead in Scotland".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17602941.scottish-labour-mp-corbyn-brexit-leaflet-is-bulls/|title=Scottish Labour meltdown over leaked European election messages|work=Herald Scotland|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> Only Jeremy Corbyn's face was placed on the cover of the Scottish Labour campaign leaflet, which Leonard later admitted was a mistake and a missed opportunity to promote himself as more than Corbyn's "man in Scotland".<ref name=":4" />
The result for Scotland was declared on 27 May 2019. Scottish Labour lost both its seats, receiving 9.3% of the vote and coming fifth behind the SNP, Brexit Party, [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] and Scottish Conservatives respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-48424055|title=SNP increases MEPs amid Labour collapse|work=BBC News|date=27 May 2019|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref> In the aftermath, Leonard accepted responsibility and said he would endorse remaining in the [[European Union]], defying the UK party.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":11" /> Findlay resigned from his frontbench portfolios and promised to resign as an MSP at the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]]. [[Cabinet Secretary for Justice|Shadow Justice Secretary]] [[Daniel Johnson (Scottish politician)|Daniel Johnson]] also resigned, citing the election result and a lack of clarity on Brexit from Leonard.<ref name=":11" />
In September, Leonard moved Alex Rowley to cover Brexit and constitutional relations and moved Shadow Finance Secretary James Kelly to replace Daniel Johnson as Shadow Justice Secretary. He also brought on [[North Ayrshire|North Ayrshire Council]] leader Joe Cullinane as head of campaigns and party engagement. Following Kezia Dugdale's resignation from the [[Scottish Parliament]], former MSP and Transport Minister [[Sarah Boyack]] took Dugdale's place on the [[Lothian (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Lothian]] regional list and Leonard appointed her as Shadow Local Government Secretary. Leonard said the additions would strengthen his core team but admitted Scottish Labour would still "need to make a strong case" to win back voters.<ref name=":20" />
=== 2019 general election: November–December 2019 === During the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], Leonard led the Labour [[2019 United Kingdom general election in Scotland|campaign in Scotland]]. [[Campaign for Socialism]] member [[Lesley Brennan]] served as his chief of staff, former ''[[Morning Star (British newspaper)|Morning Star]]'' editor Conrad Landin as director of communications and Joe Cullinane as head of campaigns and party engagement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sourcenews.scot/leonard-shakes-up-top-adviser-team/|title=Leonard shakes up top adviser team|last=Clark|first=Alasdair|date=14 February 2018|website=Source|access-date=11 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://sourcenews.scot/better-together-approach-is-over-scottish-labour-hire-morning-star-journalist-as-comms-chief/|title='Better Together approach is over': Scottish Labour hire Morning Star journalist as comms chief|website=Source|last=Wray|first=Ben|date=23 August 2019|access-date=11 February 2022}}</ref> The core campaign pledge made by Leonard and Jeremy Corbyn was to invest an extra £70 billion in Scottish public services.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2019/03/07/scottish-labour-leader-pledges-transformational-70bn-investment/|title=Scottish Labour leader pledges 'transformational' £70bn investment|work=Shropshire Star|access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-10-29a.233.0&s=scotland+speaker:10133|title=Early Parliamentary General Election Bill: 29 Oct 2019: House of Commons debates|website=TheyWorkForYou|access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref> On a two-day trip to Scotland, Jeremy Corbyn was heckled in Glasgow on the first day and Dundee on the second day. In Glasgow, by a church minister over Corbyn's connections to Islamist terrorists. In Dundee, by a Scottish nationalist. The [[Church of Scotland]] later suspended the minister for historic Islamophobic and homophobic social media posts.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-50433951|title=Minister who heckled Corbyn suspended over tweets|work=BBC News|date=15 November 2019|access-date=15 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/1020934/video-watch-heckler-shouting-the-will-of-scottish-people-get-thrown-out-of-jeremy-corbyn-rally-in-dundee/|title=Watch heckler shouting 'will of Scottish people' get thrown out of Jeremy Corbyn rally in Dundee|last=Malik|first=Paul|date=14 November 2019|work=The Courier|access-date=15 December 2019}}</ref>
Scottish Labour saw itself lose the six seats it had gained in the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], under Kezia Dugdale. Once again, the party was reduced to holding a single seat. Leonard apologised for the UK party failing to address concerns over Brexit and for the Scottish party not having stopped what he described as the "SNP juggernaut".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18099389.labour-swept-aside-snp-juggernaut-says-richard-leonard/|title=Labour swept aside by SNP juggernaut says Richard Leonard|work=Herald Scotland|access-date=15 December 2019}}</ref> However, he said he would continue as leader and carry out a listening exercise.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/18101397.labours-richard-leonard-can-still-first-minister/|title=Labour's Richard Leonard: I can still be First Minister|work=The National|access-date=15 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50793729|title=Labour consider 'listening exercise' after defeat|work=BBC News|date=14 December 2019|access-date=15 December 2019}}</ref>
=== Election of Jackie Baillie as deputy leader and resignation: 2020–2021 === {{Quote box | quote = I think we need to see some new blood in here. One of the things the last few days have taught me is we need to see an injection of new voices, a more diverse profile of people. | source = Leonard on his internal Scottish Parliament critics<ref name=":19" /> | align = right | width = 25em }}
When Leonard's deputy [[Lesley Laird]] lost her seat at the 2019 general election, she resigned from the deputy leadership shortly afterwards. Jackie Baillie then stood in the [[2020 Scottish Labour deputy leadership election|deputy leadership election to replace Laird]] and was elected in April 2020, having been critical of the strategy which resulted in the poor general election result.<ref>{{cite news|last=Beaton|first=Ailean|date=15 January 2020|title=Jackie Baillie announces Scottish Labour deputy leadership campaign|website=Holyrood|url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,jackie-baillie-announces-scottish-labour-deputy-leadership-campaign_14971.htm|access-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McNab|first=Scott|date=3 April 2020|title=Jackie Baillie wins Scottish Labour deputy leadership race|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/jackie-baillie-wins-scottish-labour-deputy-leadership-race-2529090|access-date=3 April 2020|website=The Scotsman}}</ref>
After Baillie won the deputy leadership, Scottish Labour peer [[George Foulkes, Baron Foulkes of Cumnock|George Foulkes]] called on Leonard to resign and be replaced by Baillie.<ref>{{cite web|title=Labour peer urges Richard Leonard to put his party first – and resign|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18612971.labour-peer-urges-richard-leonard-put-party-first---resign/|date=4 April 2020|last=Gordon|first=Tom|access-date=28 July 2020|website=The Herald}}</ref> Foulkes was joined by [[James Kelly (Scottish politician)|James Kelly]], [[Daniel Johnson (Scottish politician)|Daniel Johnson]], [[Jenny Marra]], [[Mark Griffin (politician)|Mark Griffin]] and [[Rachel Reeves]].<ref name=":18">{{cite web|date=2 September 2020|title=Three Scottish Labour MSPs call for Richard Leonard to resign|url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,three-scottish-labour-msps-call-for-richard-leonard-to-resign|access-date=4 September 2020|website=Holyrood Website}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Hutcheon|first=Paul|date=2 September 2020|title=Fourth Labour MSP calls on party leader Richard Leonard to quit|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/fourth-labour-msp-calls-party-22618111|access-date=4 September 2020|website=Daily Record}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Starmer ally urges Leonard to resign as Scottish Labour leader|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18694335.starmer-ally-urges-leonard-resign-scottish-labour-leader/|access-date=3 September 2020|website=HeraldScotland}}</ref> Leonard accused his critics of never supporting his leadership and mounting "an internal war".<ref name=":18" /> He also suggested MSPs could face deselection for showing disloyalty, said attempts to oust him as leader were an "act of sabotage" and confirmed he would fight any challenger for the leadership.<ref name=":19">{{cite news|last=Carrell|first=Severin|date=2 September 2020|title=Scottish Labour leader resists pressure to quit amid growing rebellion|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/sep/02/scottish-labour-leader-richard-leonard-pressure-quit-growing-rebellion|access-date=3 September 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=3 September 2020|title=Leonard accuses Labour opponents of 'sabotage'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54004551|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=3 September 2020|title=Scottish Labour leader says party still backs him|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54004551|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Andrews|first=Kieran|title=Labour MSP breaks ranks to demand Richard Leonard's departure|website=[[The Times]]|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/labour-msp-breaks-ranks-to-demand-richard-leonards-departure-95vvwlqgh|access-date=3 September 2020}}</ref> In an interview with [[Sky News]], Leonard continued to emphasise his mandate from Scottish Labour members and that there had been five Scottish Labour leaders in the previous six years.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 September 2020|title=Richard Leonard: Scottish Labour leader clings on despite own MSPs demanding he quit|url=https://news.sky.com/story/richard-leonard-scottish-labour-leader-clings-on-despite-own-msps-demanding-he-quit-12061994|access-date=6 September 2020|website=Sky News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 September 2020|title=Richard Leonard vows to stay on as Scottish Labour leader amid calls to resign|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts7kCv-RRcU|access-date=6 September 2020|website=YouTube|publisher=Sky News}}</ref> Kelly and other rebels put forward a motion of no confidence in Leonard's leadership. However, the motion was withdrawn after failing to gain enough support.<ref>{{cite news|date=12 September 2020|title=No confidence vote in Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard withdrawn|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54129302|access-date=2 December 2020}}</ref> Leonard later replaced Kelly as Shadow Justice Secretary with [[Rhoda Grant]].<ref>{{cite web|date=16 November 2020|title=Anas Sarwar returns to Labour frontbench in reshuffle|url=https://news.stv.tv/politics/anas-sarwar-returns-to-labour-frontbench-in-reshuffle|access-date=2 December 2020|website=STV News}}</ref>
On 14 January 2021, Leonard resigned as Scottish Labour leader with immediate effect. In a statement, he said deciding to step aside prior to the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]] was "not an easy decision" but the "right one for me and for the party". His Westminster counterpart, [[Keir Starmer]] insisted he was "very proud" of Leonard's achievements and said, "I would like to thank Richard for his service to our party and his unwavering commitment to the values he believes in".<ref>{{cite news|last=McGuinness|first=Alan|date=14 January 2021|title=Richard Leonard: Scottish Labour leader resigns with immediate effect|url=https://news.sky.com/story/richard-leonard-scottish-labour-leader-rsigns-with-immediate-effect-12187845|access-date=14 January 2021|website=Sky News}}</ref> However, according to ''[[The National (Scotland)|The National]]'', potential Labour donors allegedly told Starmer during a [[Zoom (software)|Zoom]] meeting that they would not donate to the Westminster party unless Leonard resigned.<ref>{{cite news|title=Keir Starmer told party figures in Zoom call that Richard Leonard had to go|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19013863.keir-starmer-told-scottish-labour-bigwigs-richard-leonard-must-go/|last=Nutt|first=Kathleen|date=15 January 2021|access-date=16 January 2021|website=The National}}</ref>
== Later political career == Leonard stood as the Scottish Labour candidate in [[Airdrie and Shotts (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Airdrie and Shotts]] at the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]], taking 10,671 votes (33.4%), finishing second to the SNP's [[Neil Gray]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Tonner|first=Judith|date=7 May 2021|title=SNP win Airdrie and Shotts seat|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/holyrood-2021-snp-win-airdrie-24063056|access-date=7 May 2021|website=Daily Record}}</ref> Leonard was again returned on the Central Scotland regional list.<ref>{{cite web|last=Paterson|first=Kirsty|date=8 May 2021|title=Scottish Election 2021 results: Scottish Greens win first MSP in Central Scotland|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/scottish-election-2021-results-scottish-greens-win-first-msp-in-central-scotland-3229658|access-date=8 May 2021|website=The Scotsman}}</ref>
On 4 March 2025, he announced he would stand down at the [[2026 Scottish Parliament election]].<ref>{{cite news |date=4 March 2025 |title=Richard Leonard, Central Scotland MSP and former Scottish Labour leader, won't seek re-election next year |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/richard-leonard-central-scotland-msp-34790227 |access-date=4 March 2025 |work=The Daily Record}}</ref>
== Political positions and views == [[File:TWT 2018 - Richard Leonard (43113277270).jpg|right|thumb|Leonard speaking at the 2018 Labour Party Conference's [[The World Transformed]] fringe event|alt=]]During the 2019 general election campaign, Leonard described himself as a "socialist, democrat and internationalist".<ref name=":17">{{cite news|title=Richard Leonard: I wouldn't describe myself as a unionist|url=https://archive.news.stv.tv/politics/1442674-richard-leonard-i-wouldnt-describe-myself-as-a-unionist.html|work=STV News|last=Vevers|first=Dan|date=25 November 2019|access-date=27 November 2019}}</ref> He has been described by journalists as being left-wing, on the [[hard left]] and hostile to business.<ref>{{cite news|title=Insight: How Scottish Labour found itself in a 'death spiral'|last=Davidson|first=Gina|date=2 June 2019|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/insight-how-scottish-labour-found-itself-in-a-death-spiral-1-4939388|work=The Scotsman|access-date=31 July 2019}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{cite news|title=Richard Leonard's conference speech made Jeremy Corbyn look positively bourgeois|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/scotland/2018/03/richard-leonards-scottish-labour-conference-speech-jeremy-corbyn|last=Deerin|first=Chris|date=11 March 2018|work=New Statesman|access-date=31 July 2019}}</ref> His politics have been described by allies as radical, conviction-led and based around representing and helping people.<ref name=":9" /> An ally of Jeremy Corbyn, his closeness to Corbyn was criticised as costing Scottish Labour in the polls.<ref>{{cite news|last=Deerin|first=Chris|date=24 July 2021|title=Scottish Labour has lost an empire and not yet found a role|url=https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2019/02/scottish-labour-has-lost-empire-and-not-yet-found-role|work=New Statesman|access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> He is a long-standing member of the [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament]] (CND), which opposes the replacement of [[Trident (UK nuclear programme)|Trident]] with a new nuclear weapons system. However, he has stated he would defer to the position of the UK Labour Party, as defence is a non-devolved matter.<ref name=":17" />
Leonard has said he wants to fundamentally change the Scottish economy and has advocated a shift to a more planned, long-term approach to economic management.<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-43351141|title=Leonard backs 'fundamental' economy shift|work=BBC News|date=11 March 2018|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref> He is described in [[Tom Bower]]'s biography ''[[Dangerous Hero]]'' as "a [[Marxist]]".<ref>{{cite book|title=Dangerous Hero: Corbyn's Ruthless Plot for Power|last=Bower|first= Tom|isbn=9780008299576|publisher=William Collins|location=London|oclc=1084317944|year=2019}}</ref> When questioned over this assertion in an interview with [[Novara Media]]'s [[Ash Sarkar]], Leonard said, despite having read Marx, he would not describe his politics as Marxist but rather a synthesis of "Scottish radicalism" and those of "post-industrial Utopians".<ref name=":7" />
Leonard has stated leaving the [[United Kingdom]] would create larger problems for Scotland than the UK leaving the European Union.<ref>{{cite news|title=Richard Leonard: Scottish independence vote would be worse than Brexit|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/richard-leonard-scottish-independence-vote-would-be-worse-than-brexit-1-4831476|access-date=5 June 2019|work=The Scotsman}}</ref> He is an opponent of a second Scottish independence referendum and has argued the 2014 referendum, in which Scotland voted to stay by 55% to 45%, was a once in a generation event.<ref>{{cite news|date=7 August 2019|title=Scottish Labour leader hits back in indyref2 row|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-49263525|access-date=8 August 2019}}</ref> While the United Kingdom as a whole voted to leave the European Union by 52% to 48% in the [[2016 EU referendum]], Scotland itself voted to remain by 62% to 38%. Despite this, Leonard was initially in favour of the UK Labour Party's position of pursuing a "soft Brexit". In the aftermath of his party's poor result in the 2019 European Parliament election, he subsequently agreed to shift his pursuit to the UK remaining in the EU.<ref name=":4" />
A former trade unionist, Leonard argues the [[Scottish Government]] must recognise trade unions and pay a real living wage on all its public contracts.<ref name=":5" /> He has said he would support Scotland's [[red meat]] industry by investing more in abattoirs and rural supply chains, and would aim for full employment in the Highlands and Islands.<ref name=":0" /> He has also discussed seeing working time as a unit of currency and aiming for a managed reduction in the length of work weeks.<ref name=":7" /> He has stated Scottish Labour has "unfinished business" with land reform and should replace [[Council Tax in Scotland|council tax]] with a property and land tax to force tax burden onto those with more wealth and more land.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":5">{{cite news|last=Peterkin|first=Tom|title=Richard Leonard sets out his vision for workers' rights|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/holyrood/1725228/richard-leonard-sets-out-his-vision-for-workers-rights/|access-date=5 June 2019|work=Press and Journal}}</ref> He advocates [[nationalising]] Scottish railways, removing Scotrail from private ownership by [[Abellio (transport company)|Abellio]], and bus services, with the wider aim of making bus travel free for all.<ref>{{cite news|last=Philip|first=Andy|date=25 June 2018|title=Labour step up bid to see trains nationalised after criticism of ScotRail record|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-step-up-campaign-12784614|access-date=5 June 2019|work=Daily Record}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=9 March 2019|title=Leonard calls for 'free bus travel for all'|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47497539|access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>
On 24 September 2024 Leonard attended an emergency demonstration,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/GlasgowStopWar/status/1838308936157434189?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title=x.com}}</ref>{{full|date=April 2026}} called by Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, relating to what the organisers described as a "...genocide in Gaza...[by]...Israel...extended to Lebanon".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/GlasgowStopWar/status/1838598458648748297?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title=x.com}}</ref>{{full|date=April 2026}} Posting photographs of the demonstration – including the hashtag #ceasefirenow – writing on social media site 'X', Leonard called for "Hands off Lebanon. End the siege of Gaza".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://x.com/LabourRichard/status/1838651974213837041?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet|title=x.com|work=X (formerly Twitter) }}</ref>{{full|date=April 2026}}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{SP-MSP}} * [http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/people/entry/richard-leonard Profile page] on the Scottish Labour Party website
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jenny Marra]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Convener of the [[Committees of the Scottish Parliament|Public Audit Committee]]|years=2021–present}} {{s-inc}} |- {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jackie Baillie]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work|Scottish Labour Spokesperson for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work]]|years=2018–2021}} {{s-aft|after=[[Monica Lennon]]}} |- {{s-bef|before=[[Kezia Dugdale]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Scottish Labour Party]]|years=[[2017 Scottish Labour leadership election|2017]]–[[2021 Scottish Labour leadership election|2021]]}} {{s-aft|after=[[Anas Sarwar]]}} {{s-end}}
{{Scottish Labour}} {{Former Labour MSPs}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leonard, Richard}} [[Category:1962 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People educated at Pocklington School]] [[Category:Alumni of the University of Stirling]] [[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–2021]] [[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Politicians from Yorkshire]] [[Category:Labour MSPs]] [[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026]] [[Category:People from Malton, North Yorkshire]]