LABOUR is the only party that can offer a “unifying vision” to a divided Scotland, Richard Leonard will say today in a speech setting out a true alternative to austerity.
 
The Scottish Labour leader will respond to the SNP Growth Commission, which has been strongly criticised over plans for huge deficit reduction and an effective cap on corporation tax.
 
Mr Leonard will present Scottish voters with a clear choice between “the austerity economics of nationalism or the transformation of Scotland’s economy in the UK with Labour.”

He will add that, when “one in four Scottish children are living in poverty,” change can only be achieved “with a rebalanced economy and a redistribution of wealth, power and opportunity.
 
“That’s why we need to stop dividing people on the basis of nationality and start uniting people on the basis of class to bring about real change.
 
“Austerity is a political, not an economic, choice and it is the choice being taken by both Ruth Davidson and Nicola Sturgeon.”