JACKIE Baillie has said the future of Scottish Labour is "hanging in the balance".
As she announced her bid to become Scottish Labour deputy leader, the MSP said "drastic action" is needed following the party's dismal showing in last month's General Election which left it with just one MP in Scotland.
She said: "The future of our party is hanging in the balance. We experienced two crushing defeats in 2019 and the Scottish electorate did not feel able to put their trust in Scottish Labour. As a result, the party lost all but one MP.
"The result has meant that communities across Scotland have been subjected to another five years of Tory austerity, on top of the more than a decade of SNP cuts that they have already had to endure."
Baillie also warned that if Scottish Labour fails to take responsibility for the result, the party could become a "residual force".
She said: "Voters lost trust in our leadership and were confused by our manifesto.
"The inconsistent message that came from senior figures within the Labour Party on the two biggest issues facing Scottish voters - Scottish independence and Brexit - meant that the electorate did not know what the party stood for and instead went elsewhere.
"If Scottish Labour does not accept responsibility for the result and take drastic steps to change, then the party will become a residual force in Scottish politics. My aim is to unite the party and bring members together from across the political spectrum, in order to rebuild the party for the future."
However, a bid by Baillie to take on the deputy leadership role on a job share basis alongside her fellow MSP Pauline McNeil was rejected by the party.
A spokesman for the party said: "Scottish Labour's procedures clearly state that individual Scottish Labour councillors, MSPs and MPs will each be able to nominate themselves or one Scottish Labour councillor, MSP or MP for the position of deputy leader."
Baillie, who has been an MSP since 1999, said: "I am disappointed that my plans to unite with my friend and colleague, Pauline McNeill, have been rejected, but I look forward to working with her to rebuild our beloved party regardless of whether we share a candidacy or not."
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