People across Scotland are backing Joe for Leader.
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Nominations close 24 August 2026, 10:00.
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What supporters say
I am supporting Joe to become our leader. I have known Joe for a number of years. He is hard working, has proven leadership skills and is Labour to his core. We need to build our communities and ensure no one is left behind. Joe not only shares these aims, he has a proven track record in delivering them. Having successfully delivered for remote local communities which could as easily be in Caithness as Clydesdale, Joe understands the need to rebuild our movement everywhere, including here in the Highlands and Islands.
Joe is an honest figure and importantly an outsider to the parliamentary party, he is someone that can take the party from its diminished place back to the very forefront of Scottish politics.
Joe understands that devolving wealth and power to local communities is the best way to put money in people’s pockets, revive our high streets and sustainably grow the economy. If we are to regain the trust of the Scottish people and win again, we need an inspiring and credible policy offer and a leader who can passionately and clearly communicate that. For me, Joe is the candidate to do just that.
Joe is the only candidate with leadership experience and understands that after our electoral disaster in May, more of the same won't cut it. We need someone like Joe to pull our party together to heal, and importantly, succeed in future elections.
I'm backing Joe Fagan because he's a fresh voice in Holyrood with experience of leadership and delivering on people's priorities. If you want Scottish Labour to be focused on empowering communities and inspiring voters across Scotland so we can win and make a real difference then back Joe for Leader.
I’m voting for Joe Fagan because he understands that Scottish Labour needs to rebuild in our communities, from Dumfries to Moray. As a councillor I see the impact SNP cuts have in our area every day. We need a leader like Joe to take on the SNP and get wins for the people we represent.
You bring significant experience from leading a £1 billion organisation, you understand first-hand the realities of serving as a local councillor, and you have seen the impact that years of Scottish Government cuts have had on the most vulnerable people in our communities. Those cuts continue to place immense pressure on local government, limiting our ability to harness the imagination, innovation and dedication of council employees to improve services for residents. We need to breathe hope back into our communities and I believe you are the best candidate to do that. I believe your experience, values and understanding of local government make you the right person to lead Scottish Labour, and I am pleased to offer you my support.
I worked with Joe in local government and I found him honest, down to earth and clever.
Joe has always been a strong advocate for empowering local democracy and understands to that rebuilding Scottish Labour starts with grassroots support. His bold approach is what's needed to make Scottish Labour a party that can win again.
I'm backing Joe for a bolder fresher version of Scottish Labour. For someone with proven leadership experience and who believes in empowering our communities.
Joe Fagan is the one to take Scottish Labour Forward. Joe has vital experience leading South Lanarkshire council to success. I believe he can do the same for a better, brighter more prosperous Scottish Labour Party.
Joe is progressive and forward thinking. He's exactly the difference Scottish Labour needs. He's has a track record of uniting people, especially those from different aspects of the party.
Like many other Labour group leaders, I have been enormously impressed by Joe’s success in leading Labour back into administration in South Lanarkshire, and the successes he achieved during his time leading the council. I believe a record of getting things done is essential in any leader. I was first elected in the ‘90s and I led my Labour group in administration in the early 2000s. I remember what it was like to have well resourced, empowered local government which could genuinely deliver for our communities. The arrival of Andy Burnham and his devolution agenda present an opportunity to put localism back on the agenda in Scotland too, and I believe that Joe is best placed to seize that opportunity.
Joe is the best candidate for Labour leader, Scotland. He is trustworthy and totally committed to the new labour movement.
Joe’s record for South Lanarkshire has always been positive and for the good of the community and he works hard along with colleagues to improve the area and get services working for the people. Additionally he’s the candidate that hasn’t looked to blame Westminster and Keir Starmer nor peddled out the usual platitudes of “it’s not working” and “doing politics differently”! He’s stated clearly, I’ve got the experience through running a council and I’ll work hard to improve people’s lives. The only choice for me.
Over the last four years, I’ve seen Joe’s leadership, integrity and determination firsthand. Scottish Labour needs renewal, fresh ideas and a clear focus on winning. That’s why I’ll be supporting Joe Fagan to be the next Leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
I’m backing Joe Fagan for Scottish Labour Leader because I believe Scottish Labour needs a fresh direction, one more ambitious and unafraid to act on, Fagan will deliver stronger action on affordability, our economy and present to our electorate come 2031 a party that can truly win government again.
I'm backing Joe because he's got the experience of leadership to drive forward Scottish Labour's values in the Scottish Parliament and secure wins from opposition. He has a track record of backing workers and industry in the North East and will make sure our region's needs are taken into account.
Our Party works best when our representatives embody the values of people, communities and place. I’m backing Joe because he has the experience of leadership to make sure every voter is clear that these are the values that our councillors, MSPs and MPs live every day.