# Richard Leonard

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Former Leader of the Scottish Labour Party

This article is about the former Scottish Labour leader. For other people named Richard Leonard, see [Richard Leonard (disambiguation)](/source/Richard_Leonard_(disambiguation)).

Richard Leonard Official portrait, 2016 Leader of the Scottish Labour Party In office 18 November 2017 – 14 January 2021 Deputy Lesley Laird Jackie Baillie UK party leader Jeremy Corbyn Keir Starmer Preceded by Kezia Dugdale[a] Succeeded by Anas Sarwar[b] Convener of the Public Audit Committee In office 23 June 2021 – 8 April 2026 Preceded by Jenny Marra Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland (1 of 7 Regional MSPs) In office 5 May 2016 – 9 April 2026 Scottish Labour portfolios 2016–2017 Shadow Minister for Economy 2018–2021 Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Personal details Born January 1962 (age 64) Westow, East Riding of Yorkshire, England Party Scottish Labour Spouse Karen Leonard Children 1 son, 1 stepdaughter Education Pocklington School Alma mater University of Stirling Website Official website

**Richard Leonard** (born January 1962) is a British politician who served as [Leader of the Scottish Labour Party](/source/Leader_of_the_Scottish_Labour_Party) from [2017](/source/2017_Scottish_Labour_leadership_election) to [2021](/source/2021_Scottish_Labour_leadership_election). He served as a [Member of the Scottish Parliament](/source/Member_of_the_Scottish_Parliament) (MSP), as one of the additional members for the [Central Scotland](/source/Central_Scotland_(Scottish_Parliament_electoral_region)) region, from [2016](/source/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election) to [2026](/source/2026_Scottish_Parliament_election). He ideologically identifies as a socialist, democrat and internationalist.

Born and raised in [Yorkshire](/source/Yorkshire), Leonard won a scholarship to be educated at [Pocklington School](/source/Pocklington_School). He moved to Scotland in the 1980s to study Politics and Economics at the [University of Stirling](/source/University_of_Stirling). Following his graduation, he worked as an aide to [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK)) politician [Alex Falconer](/source/Alex_Falconer_(Scottish_politician)) before working as a trade unionist for the [Scottish Trades Union Congress](/source/Scottish_Trades_Union_Congress) and [GMB Scotland](/source/GMB_(trade_union)). From 2002 to 2003, he served as Chair of the Scottish Labour Party when he was active in opposing the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War). After unsuccessfully contesting [Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley](/source/Carrick%2C_Cumnock_and_Doon_Valley_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)) in [2011](/source/2011_Scottish_Parliament_election), he was elected at the [2016 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election) on the [Central Scotland](/source/Central_Scotland_(Scottish_Parliament_electoral_region)) regional list.

Leonard defeated [Anas Sarwar](/source/Anas_Sarwar) to win the [2017 Scottish Labour leadership election](/source/2017_Scottish_Labour_leadership_election), succeeding [Kezia Dugdale](/source/Kezia_Dugdale), and he later took on the role of [Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Economy%2C_Jobs_and_Fair_Work). After replacing [Jackie Baillie](/source/Jackie_Baillie) in a 2018 frontbench reshuffle, Baillie was [elected as his new deputy leader in 2020](/source/2020_Scottish_Labour_deputy_leadership_election). A supporter of [Jeremy Corbyn](/source/Jeremy_Corbyn), Leonard was credited for shifting Scottish Labour leftwards but criticised for poor results at the [2019 European Parliament election](/source/2019_European_Parliament_election_in_the_United_Kingdom) and [2019 general election](/source/2019_United_Kingdom_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](/source/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election).

## Early life and career

Leonard was born in January 1962 in [Westow](/source/Westow), [East Riding of Yorkshire](/source/East_Riding_of_Yorkshire) and raised in the market town of [Malton](/source/Malton%2C_North_Yorkshire), [North Yorkshire](/source/North_Yorkshire).[1][2][3][4] He is the son of Derek, a tailor and member of the [Tailor and Garment Workers Union](/source/National_Union_of_Tailors_and_Garment_Workers), and Janet, who looked after him and his two sisters.[5] From the age of 11, he was educated at the independent, fee-paying [Pocklington School](/source/Pocklington_School) in the [East Riding of Yorkshire](/source/East_Riding_of_Yorkshire), having received a [local education authority](/source/Local_education_authority) scholarship.[4][6] As a young boy, his first job was picking potatoes in Autumn.[3] He was inspired politically in his youth by *Arguments for Socialism* written by [Tony Benn](/source/Tony_Benn), a leftist [Labour](/source/Labour_Party_(UK)) [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(United_Kingdom)) and former cabinet minister.[1] He was further influenced by *Farewell to the Working Class* and *Critique of Economic Reason* by Austrian philosopher [André Gorz](/source/Andr%C3%A9_Gorz), as well as the works of early socialist novelist [William Morris](/source/William_Morris).[7]

Leonard studied Politics and Economics at the [University of Stirling](/source/University_of_Stirling), where he was a member of the Labour club and president of the Students' Association.[8] He was a contemporary of future [First Minister of Scotland](/source/First_Minister_of_Scotland) [Jack McConnell](/source/Jack_McConnell) and they shared a flat together for a time following graduation.[5] While a student, he had a summer job weeding wheat fields in [Suffolk](/source/Suffolk), [East Anglia](/source/East_Anglia), after his family moved south to help his father find work.[3] After university, he went on to spend five years working as an aide to [Alex Falconer](/source/Alex_Falconer_(Scottish_politician)), [Member of the European Parliament](/source/Member_of_the_European_Parliament) for [Mid Scotland and Fife](/source/Mid_Scotland_and_Fife_(European_Parliament_constituency)).[8][9] He then spent a further five years as head of economics and assistant secretary for the [Scottish Trades Union Congress](/source/Scottish_Trades_Union_Congress).[9] He then worked for 20 years as a [GMB Scotland](/source/GMB_(trade_union)) industrial organiser, a role in which he represented women, apprentices and young people on low pay.[10][9]

## Early political career

Throughout Leonard's working life, he was active in the [Scottish Labour Party](/source/Scottish_Labour_Party), including serving as election agent for [Anne McGuire](/source/Anne_McGuire) in [Stirling](/source/Stirling_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) at the [1997 general election](/source/1997_United_Kingdom_general_election) where they unseated [Secretary of State for Scotland](/source/Secretary_of_State_for_Scotland) [Michael Forsyth](/source/Michael_Forsyth%2C_Baron_Forsyth_of_Drumlean) by 6,411 votes. Leonard served as Chair of the Scottish Labour Party from 2002 to 2003 but opposed the [2003 invasion of Iraq](/source/2003_invasion_of_Iraq), marching against the [war](/source/Iraq_War) and describing the bombing of Baghdad as "awful".[1][11]

Leonard stood as the Labour candidate for [Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley](/source/Carrick%2C_Cumnock_and_Doon_Valley_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)) at the [2011 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2011_Scottish_Parliament_election) but lost to the [Scottish National Party](/source/Scottish_National_Party)'s [Adam Ingram](/source/Adam_Ingram_(SNP_politician)).[12] At the [2016 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election), he contested [Airdrie and Shotts](/source/Airdrie_and_Shotts_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)). The SNP's [Alex Neil](/source/Alex_Neil_(politician)) held the seat but Leonard was elected as a [Member of the Scottish Parliament](/source/Member_of_the_Scottish_Parliament) as one of seven additional members for the [Central Scotland](/source/Central_Scotland_(Scottish_Parliament_electoral_region)) region.[13][14] 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](/source/Kezia_Dugdale).[15] He supported [Jeremy Corbyn](/source/Jeremy_Corbyn) in the [2016 UK Labour Party leadership election](/source/2016_Labour_Party_leadership_election_(UK)).[16]

## Leader of the Scottish Labour Party

### 2017 Scottish Labour Party leadership election

The [2017 Scottish Labour Party leadership election](/source/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](/source/BBC_News) described Leonard as more [left-wing](/source/Left-wing) than his rival, [Anas Sarwar](/source/Anas_Sarwar).[17] Leonard received celebrity endorsement from cult comic book scribe [Mark Millar](/source/Mark_Millar), known for [*Kick-Ass*](/source/Kick-Ass_(comic_book)) and [*Kingsman*](/source/Kingsman_(franchise)), who said he was "the most exciting thing to happen up here in decades".[18] 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.[19][20]

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!](/source/I'm_a_Celebrity...Get_Me_Out_of_Here!_(UK_series_17)).* 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.[21] It was decided she would not be suspended but, instead, sent a written warning from Scottish Labour Parliamentary Business Manager [James Kelly](/source/James_Kelly_(Scottish_politician)). 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.[22]

### Early leadership: 2017–2019

Leonard was an ally of Labour leader [Jeremy Corbyn](/source/Jeremy_Corbyn)

In December 2017, Leonard announced his new Shadow Cabinet. [Jackie Baillie](/source/Jackie_Baillie), Scottish Labour's longest-serving constituency MSP, was appointed as [Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Economy%2C_Jobs_and_Fair_Work). Leonard's former leadership rival Anas Sarwar was kept as [Shadow Health and Sport Secretary](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Health_and_Sport). [Neil Findlay](/source/Neil_Findlay), a close ally of both Leonard and Jeremy Corbyn, was made [Shadow Brexit and Constitutional Relations Secretary](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Government_Business_and_Constitutional_Relations).[23] The announcement of [Elaine Smith](/source/Elaine_Smith_(Scottish_politician)) as a [shadow equality minister](/source/Opposition_Shadow_Cabinets_of_the_Scottish_Parliament) 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.[24]

Leonard somewhat distanced himself from Jeremy Corbyn in 2017, saying "I'm too long in the tooth to be a Corbynista".[25] However, in his 2018 [Labour Party Conference](/source/Labour_Party_Conference) speech, he "confessed" to voting for Corbyn to be leader both in [2015](/source/2015_Labour_Party_leadership_election_(UK)) and 2016 because he believed Scotland would need a radical Corbyn government.[26] Under his leadership, Scottish Labour would also go on to adopt the "For the Many, Not the Few" branding of the UK Labour Party.[27]

President of the United States [Donald Trump](/source/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.[28] Trump returned to Scotland while on a June 2019 royal visit and Leonard spoke at a protest rally outside [St Giles' Cathedral](/source/St_Giles'_Cathedral) in Edinburgh.[29]

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](/source/Stuart_Campbell_(game_journalist)).[30] They had previously promised not to do so and there was controversy over whether the decision was encouraged by the UK party.[31] Dugdale subsequently won the case on the grounds of principle of fair comment.[32] In leaked messages, [Edinburgh South](/source/Edinburgh_South_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) MP [Ian Murray](/source/Ian_Murray_(British_politician)) 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".[33]

Leonard carried out a frontbench reshuffle in October 2018, following a series of negative briefings by MSPs close to Kezia Dugdale.[34] He took on the role of Shadow Economy Secretary, dismissing Jackie Baillie. Anas Sarwar was replaced by [Monica Lennon](/source/Monica_Lennon), who was succeeded as [Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Communities_and_Local_Government) by [Alex Rowley](/source/Alex_Rowley). Both Lennon and Rowley had been allies of Leonard, and ally Neil Findlay was given the added role of Parliamentary Business Manager.[35] 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.[36] Former government minister [Hugh Henry](/source/Hugh_Henry) defended Leonard, arguing Baillie and Sarwar had both been disloyal.[37]

Following the resignation of Kezia Dugdale from the [Scottish Parliament](/source/Scottish_Parliament) in 2019, former MSP and Transport Minister [Sarah Boyack](/source/Sarah_Boyack) took her place on the [Lothian](/source/Lothian_(Scottish_Parliament_electoral_region)) regional list. In the September, Leonard appointed her Shadow Local Government Secretary. He moved Alex Rowley to cover Brexit and constitutional relations and moved [Shadow Finance Secretary](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Finance_and_Local_Government) James Kelly to cover justice. He also brought on [North Ayrshire Council](/source/North_Ayrshire) 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.[38]

In April 2019, Anas Sarwar's case against [Rutherglen](/source/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".[39]

At the [2019 Edinburgh Fringe](/source/Edinburgh_Festival_Fringe), [Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer](/source/Shadow_Chancellor_of_the_Exchequer) [John McDonnell](/source/John_McDonnell) insisted a Labour government would not block the holding of a [second Scottish independence referendum](/source/Proposed_second_Scottish_independence_referendum) if the Scottish Parliament voted for one. These remarks met with opposition from Leonard and other Scottish Labour colleagues.[40][41] 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.[42]

### 2019 European Parliament election and aftermath: April–September 2019

Leonard led Scottish Labour into the [2019 European Parliament election](/source/2019_European_Parliament_election_in_the_United_Kingdom) with the party inheriting, from [2014](/source/2014_European_Parliament_election_in_the_United_Kingdom), two of the six seats in [Scotland](/source/Scotland_(European_Parliament_constituency)).[43] [David Martin](/source/David_Martin_(Scottish_politician)), an MEP since [1984](/source/1984_European_Parliament_election_in_the_United_Kingdom), was first on the party list and former MSP [Jayne Baxter](/source/Jayne_Baxter) succeeded [Catherine Stihler](/source/Catherine_Stihler) as second.[44] The campaign was managed by Neil Findlay.[45] Scottish Labour vowed to pursue a "soft Brexit", consistent with the UK party.[46] This was heavily challenged by the overtly pro-Remain SNP, as well as an insurgent [Brexit Party](/source/Brexit_Party).[47] Brexit compounded an issue already facing Scottish Labour in the wake of the [2014 Scottish independence referendum](/source/2014_Scottish_independence_referendum); its loss of [nationalist](/source/Scottish_nationalism) support to the SNP and [unionist](/source/Unionism_in_Scotland) support to the [Scottish Conservatives](/source/Scottish_Conservatives).[47]

In leaked WhatsApp messages, the "soft Brexit" position taken by Leonard's campaign was criticised by Shadow Minister for Scotland [Paul Sweeney](/source/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 [[National Executive Committee](/source/National_Executive_Committee_of_the_Labour_Party)] kill this bullshit line." [Rutherglen and Hamilton West](/source/Rutherglen_and_Hamilton_West) MP [Ged Killen](/source/Ged_Killen) wrote that the stance had given the SNP "a new lease of life" and [East Lothian](/source/East_Lothian_(UK_Parliament_constituency)) MP [Martin Whitfield](/source/Martin_Whitfield) added that Labour was at risk of being "dead in Scotland".[48] 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".[46]

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](/source/Scottish_Liberal_Democrats) and Scottish Conservatives respectively.[49] In the aftermath, Leonard accepted responsibility and said he would endorse remaining in the [European Union](/source/European_Union), defying the UK party.[46][45] Findlay resigned from his frontbench portfolios and promised to resign as an MSP at the [2021 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election). [Shadow Justice Secretary](/source/Cabinet_Secretary_for_Justice) [Daniel Johnson](/source/Daniel_Johnson_(Scottish_politician)) also resigned, citing the election result and a lack of clarity on Brexit from Leonard.[45]

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 Council](/source/North_Ayrshire) leader Joe Cullinane as head of campaigns and party engagement. Following Kezia Dugdale's resignation from the [Scottish Parliament](/source/Scottish_Parliament), former MSP and Transport Minister [Sarah Boyack](/source/Sarah_Boyack) took Dugdale's place on the [Lothian](/source/Lothian_(Scottish_Parliament_electoral_region)) 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.[38]

### 2019 general election: November–December 2019

During the [2019 general election](/source/2019_United_Kingdom_general_election), Leonard led the Labour [campaign in Scotland](/source/2019_United_Kingdom_general_election_in_Scotland). [Campaign for Socialism](/source/Campaign_for_Socialism) member [Lesley Brennan](/source/Lesley_Brennan) served as his chief of staff, former *[Morning Star](/source/Morning_Star_(British_newspaper))* editor Conrad Landin as director of communications and Joe Cullinane as head of campaigns and party engagement.[50][51] The core campaign pledge made by Leonard and Jeremy Corbyn was to invest an extra £70 billion in Scottish public services.[52][53] 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](/source/Church_of_Scotland) later suspended the minister for historic Islamophobic and homophobic social media posts.[54][55]

Scottish Labour saw itself lose the six seats it had gained in the [2017 general election](/source/2017_United_Kingdom_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".[56] However, he said he would continue as leader and carry out a listening exercise.[57][58]

### Election of Jackie Baillie as deputy leader and resignation: 2020–2021

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.

— Leonard on his internal Scottish Parliament critics[59]

When Leonard's deputy [Lesley Laird](/source/Lesley_Laird) lost her seat at the 2019 general election, she resigned from the deputy leadership shortly afterwards. Jackie Baillie then stood in the [deputy leadership election to replace Laird](/source/2020_Scottish_Labour_deputy_leadership_election) and was elected in April 2020, having been critical of the strategy which resulted in the poor general election result.[60][61]

After Baillie won the deputy leadership, Scottish Labour peer [George Foulkes](/source/George_Foulkes%2C_Baron_Foulkes_of_Cumnock) called on Leonard to resign and be replaced by Baillie.[62] Foulkes was joined by [James Kelly](/source/James_Kelly_(Scottish_politician)), [Daniel Johnson](/source/Daniel_Johnson_(Scottish_politician)), [Jenny Marra](/source/Jenny_Marra), [Mark Griffin](/source/Mark_Griffin_(politician)) and [Rachel Reeves](/source/Rachel_Reeves).[63][64][65] Leonard accused his critics of never supporting his leadership and mounting "an internal war".[63] 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.[59][66][67][68] In an interview with [Sky News](/source/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.[69][70] 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.[71] Leonard later replaced Kelly as Shadow Justice Secretary with [Rhoda Grant](/source/Rhoda_Grant).[72]

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](/source/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election) was "not an easy decision" but the "right one for me and for the party". His Westminster counterpart, [Keir Starmer](/source/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".[73] However, according to *[The National](/source/The_National_(Scotland))*, potential Labour donors allegedly told Starmer during a [Zoom](/source/Zoom_(software)) meeting that they would not donate to the Westminster party unless Leonard resigned.[74]

## Later political career

Leonard stood as the Scottish Labour candidate in [Airdrie and Shotts](/source/Airdrie_and_Shotts_(Scottish_Parliament_constituency)) at the [2021 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election), taking 10,671 votes (33.4%), finishing second to the SNP's [Neil Gray](/source/Neil_Gray).[75] Leonard was again returned on the Central Scotland regional list.[76]

On 4 March 2025, he announced he would stand down at the [2026 Scottish Parliament election](/source/2026_Scottish_Parliament_election).[77]

## Political positions and views

Leonard speaking at the 2018 Labour Party Conference's [The World Transformed](/source/The_World_Transformed) fringe event

During the 2019 general election campaign, Leonard described himself as a "socialist, democrat and internationalist".[78] He has been described by journalists as being left-wing, on the [hard left](/source/Hard_left) and hostile to business.[79][80] His politics have been described by allies as radical, conviction-led and based around representing and helping people.[10] An ally of Jeremy Corbyn, his closeness to Corbyn was criticised as costing Scottish Labour in the polls.[81] He is a long-standing member of the [Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament](/source/Campaign_for_Nuclear_Disarmament) (CND), which opposes the replacement of [Trident](/source/Trident_(UK_nuclear_programme)) 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.[78]

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.[27] He is described in [Tom Bower](/source/Tom_Bower)'s biography *[Dangerous Hero](/source/Dangerous_Hero)* as "a [Marxist](/source/Marxist)".[82] When questioned over this assertion in an interview with [Novara Media](/source/Novara_Media)'s [Ash Sarkar](/source/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".[7]

Leonard has stated leaving the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) would create larger problems for Scotland than the UK leaving the European Union.[83] 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.[84] While the United Kingdom as a whole voted to leave the European Union by 52% to 48% in the [2016 EU referendum](/source/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.[46]

A former trade unionist, Leonard argues the [Scottish Government](/source/Scottish_Government) must recognise trade unions and pay a real living wage on all its public contracts.[85] He has said he would support Scotland's [red meat](/source/Red_meat) industry by investing more in abattoirs and rural supply chains, and would aim for full employment in the Highlands and Islands.[3] He has also discussed seeing working time as a unit of currency and aiming for a managed reduction in the length of work weeks.[7] He has stated Scottish Labour has "unfinished business" with land reform and should replace [council tax](/source/Council_Tax_in_Scotland) with a property and land tax to force tax burden onto those with more wealth and more land.[26][85] He advocates [nationalising](/source/Nationalising) Scottish railways, removing Scotrail from private ownership by [Abellio](/source/Abellio_(transport_company)), and bus services, with the wider aim of making bus travel free for all.[86][87]

On 24 September 2024 Leonard attended an emergency demonstration,[88][*[full citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#What_information_to_include)*] called by Glasgow Stop the War Coalition, relating to what the organisers described as a "...genocide in Gaza...[by]...Israel...extended to Lebanon".[89][*[full citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#What_information_to_include)*] 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".[90][*[full citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources#What_information_to_include)*]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Alex Rowley](/source/Alex_Rowley) acted from 29 August 2017 to 15 November 2017 followed by [Jackie Baillie](/source/Jackie_Baillie) from 15 to 18 November 2017

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Jackie Baillie](/source/Jackie_Baillie) acted from 14 January 2021 to 27 February 2021

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_3-2) Brown, Annie (26 May 2018). ["Richard Leonard tells how 38 years in Scotland fuelled his dream of change"](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-leader-richard-leonard-12598151). *Daily Record*. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Richard LEONARD – Personal Appointments"](https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/Tp40ygCU5uNUre1rMYbf6g65eAY/appointments). *Companies House*. Retrieved 16 February 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_5-3) ["Scottish Labour determined to tackle inequality and poverty in rural Scotland"](https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/16320408.scottish-labour-leader-richard-leonard-commits-to-improving-wages-and-boosting-public-services-in-rural-scotland/). *The Scottish Farmer*. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-84)** Bower, Tom (2019). *Dangerous Hero: Corbyn's Ruthless Plot for Power*. London: William Collins. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780008299576](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780008299576). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1084317944](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1084317944).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-85)** ["Richard Leonard: Scottish independence vote would be worse than Brexit"](https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/richard-leonard-scottish-independence-vote-would-be-worse-than-brexit-1-4831476). *The Scotsman*. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-86)** ["Scottish Labour leader hits back in indyref2 row"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-49263525). *BBC News*. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_87-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_87-1) Peterkin, Tom. ["Richard Leonard sets out his vision for workers' rights"](https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/holyrood/1725228/richard-leonard-sets-out-his-vision-for-workers-rights/). *Press and Journal*. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-88)** Philip, Andy (25 June 2018). ["Labour step up bid to see trains nationalised after criticism of ScotRail record"](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-labour-step-up-campaign-12784614). *Daily Record*. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-89)** ["Leonard calls for 'free bus travel for all'"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47497539). *BBC News*. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-90)** ["x.com"](https://x.com/GlasgowStopWar/status/1838308936157434189?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-91)** ["x.com"](https://x.com/GlasgowStopWar/status/1838598458648748297?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-92)** ["x.com"](https://x.com/LabourRichard/status/1838651974213837041?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet). *X (formerly Twitter)*.

## External links

- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: [Richard Leonard](https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/richard-leonard)

- [Profile page](http://www.scottishlabour.org.uk/people/entry/richard-leonard) on the Scottish Labour Party website

Political offices Preceded by Jenny Marra Convener of the Public Audit Committee 2021–present Incumbent Party political offices Preceded by Jackie Baillie Scottish Labour Spokesperson for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work 2018–2021 Succeeded by Monica Lennon Preceded by Kezia Dugdale Leader of the Scottish Labour Party 2017–2021 Succeeded by Anas Sarwar

v t e Scottish Labour Leaders Donald Dewar (1998–2000) Henry McLeish (2000–2001) Jack McConnell (2001–2007) Wendy Alexander (2007–2008) Iain Gray (2008–2011) Johann Lamont (2011–2014) Jim Murphy (2014–2015) Kezia Dugdale (2015–2017) Richard Leonard (2017–2021) Anas Sarwar (2021–present) Deputy leaders Henry McLeish (1999–2000) Cathy Jamieson (2000–2008) Johann Lamont (2008–2011) Anas Sarwar (2011–2014) Kezia Dugdale (2014–2015) Alex Rowley (2015–2017) Lesley Laird (2017–2019) Jackie Baillie (2020–present) General secretaries Ben Shaw (1914–1931) Arthur Woodburn (1932–1939) John Taylor (1939–1951) Willie Marshall (1951–1977) Helen Liddell (1977–1988) Murray Elder (1988–1992) Jack McConnell (1992–1998) Alex Rowley (1998–1999) Lesley Quinn (1999–2008) Colin Smyth (2008–2013) Ian Price (2013–2014) Brian Roy (2014–2019) Michael Sharpe (2019–2020) Drew Smith (2020–2021) James Kelly (2021–2023) John Paul McHugh (2023–present) Current MSPs Irshad Ahmed Jackie Baillie Claire Baker Neil Bibby Baroness Clark of Kilwinning Joe Fagan Mark Griffin Daniel Johnson Joe Long Donald MacKinnon Michael Marra Pauline McNeill Carol Mochan Katherine Sangster Anas Sarwar Paul Sweeney Jenny Young Current MPs Zubir Ahmed Douglas Alexander Scott Arthur Johanna Baxter Maureen Burke Irene Campbell Torcuil Crichton Graeme Downie Patricia Ferguson Alan Gemmell Tracy Gilbert John Grady Lillian Jones Chris Kane Douglas McAllister Martin McCluskey Blair McDougall Gordon McKee Frank McNally Kirsty McNeill Chris Murray Ian Murray Katrina Murray Pamela Nash Gregor Poynton Martin Rhodes Michael Shanks Euan Stainbank Kenneth Stevenson Elaine Stewart Kirsteen Sullivan Alison Taylor Imogen Walker Melanie Ward Organisation Scottish Executive Committee Scottish Labour Conference Scottish Policy Forum Scottish Labour Students Scottish Young Labour Campaign for Socialism Scottish governments Dewar (1999–2000) McLeish (2000–2001) 1st McConnell (2001–2003) 2nd McConnell (2003–2007) Leadership elections 1998 Dewar 2000 McLeish 2001 McConnell 2007 Alexander 2008 Gray 2011 Lamont 2014 Murphy 2015 Dugdale 2017 Leonard 2021 Sarwar Deputy leadership elections 2000 Jamieson 2008 Lamont 2011 Sarwar 2014 Dugdale 2015 Rowley 2018 Laird 2020 Baillie

v t e Former Labour Party MSPs By date first representing Scottish Labour in the Scottish Parliament 1999 Wendy Alexander Scott Barrie Sarah Boyack Rhona Brankin Bill Butler Malcolm Chisholm Cathie Craigie Margaret Curran Susan Deacon Donald Dewar Helen Eadie Patricia Ferguson Sam Galbraith Karen Gillon Trish Godman Rhoda Grant Iain Gray Hugh Henry John Home Robertson Janis Hughes Gordon Jackson Sylvia Jackson Cathy Jamieson Margaret Jamieson Andy Kerr Johann Lamont Marilyn Livingstone Jack McConnell Lewis Macdonald Angus MacKay Kate Maclean Ken Macintosh Maureen Macmillan Paul Martin John McAllion Frank McAveety Tom McCabe Baron McConnell of Glenscorrodale Henry McLeish Michael McMahon Duncan McNeil Des McNulty Alasdair Morrison Bristow Muldoon Mary Mulligan Elaine Murray Irene Oldfather Peter Peacock Cathy Peattie Richard Simpson Elaine Smith Elaine Thomson Mike Watson Ian Welsh Karen Whitefield Allan Wilson 2001 Brian Fitzpatrick 2003 Richard Baker Marlyn Glen Christine May 2005 Charlie Gordon 2007 Baron Foulkes of Cumnock James Kelly John Park David Stewart David Whitton 2011 Claudia Beamish Kezia Dugdale Mary Fee Neil Findlay Hanzala Malik Jenny Marra Margaret McCulloch Margaret McDougall Siobhan McMahon Anne McTaggart Graeme Pearson John Pentland Drew Smith 2012 Jayne Baxter 2013 Cara Hilton 2014 Alex Rowley 2016 Lesley Brennan Monica Lennon Richard Leonard Colin Smyth 2021 Foysol Choudhury Pam Duncan-Glancy Paul O'Kane Mercedes Villalba Martin Whitfield 2025 Davy Russell

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Richard Leonard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Leonard) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Leonard?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.