Skip to main content
The Morning Star Shop
Scottish Labour's alternative budget will give real power to the people
Richard Leonard has already transformed Labour’s approach to Scotland’s economy from a timid managerialism to one that challenges the fundamental tenets of neoliberalism, writes PAULINE BRYAN

THE SNP budget for 2018-19, which passed with the support of the Scottish Greens, draws a stark line between the mainstream conservative economic policies of the SNP and what is now offered by the Scottish Labour Party.

Even though he has only been in office for two months, Richard Leonard has transformed Labour’s approach to Scotland’s economy from a timid managerialism to one that challenges the fundamental tenets of neoliberalism.

The SNP is using its powers to make changes to the tax system in Scotland, but it is not prepared to offer fundamental redistribution of wealth. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
STUC 2025 / 28 April 2025
28 April 2025

From the ‘marketisation’ of care services to the closure of cultural venues and criminalisation of youth, a new Red Paper reveals how austerity has weakened communities and disproportionately harmed the most vulnerable, write PAULINE BRYAN and VINCE MILLS

Climate activists from Greenpeace and Uplift during a demons
Voices of Scotland / 4 February 2025
4 February 2025
There is little benefit coming to Scotland or the wider UK from projects like Rosebank or Jackdaw – or indeed renewables – as profits are siphoned out of the country by foreign companies, writes PAULINE BRYAN
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray speaks during the
Features / 1 October 2024
1 October 2024
Unwanted, imposed Tory interventions on Scotland fuelled demands for devolution, and today Labour risks repeating past mistakes if Ian Murray seeks to bypass Holyrood on spending, warns PAULINE BRYAN
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar speaks during the Labour
Features / 24 September 2024
24 September 2024
With a lack of radical thinking from the Starmer-led UK government, support for Scottish independence is unlikely to evaporate any time soon – spelling trouble ahead for Anas Sarwar, argues PAULINE BRYAN
Similar stories
STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer speaks to lecturers and other university staff at a rally on Buchanan Street, Glasgow, September 19, 2023
Voices of Scotland / 8 July 2025
8 July 2025

Ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections, ROZ FOYER warns that a bold tax policy is needed to rebuild devastated public services which can serve as the foundation of a strong, fair economy

A bus under construction at the Alexander Dennis bus manufacturers in Falkirk
Voices of Scotland / 17 June 2025
17 June 2025

As bus builder Alexander Dennis threatens Falkirk closure and Grangemouth faces ruthless shutdown by tax exile Jim Ratcliffe, RICHARD LEONARD MSP warns that global corporations must be resisted by a bold industrial strategy based on public ownership

NOT THE PEASANTS’ REVOLT: Some well-heeled types make thei
Voices of Scotland / 3 December 2024
3 December 2024
The super-rich falsely claim inheritance tax changes will devastate small farmers, while millionaire landowners continue enjoying numerous tax advantages — why is the SNP supporting this nonsense, asks RICHARD LEONARD
Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray speaks during the
Features / 1 October 2024
1 October 2024
Unwanted, imposed Tory interventions on Scotland fuelled demands for devolution, and today Labour risks repeating past mistakes if Ian Murray seeks to bypass Holyrood on spending, warns PAULINE BRYAN