RICHARD LEONARD laid out his long-term vision to transform Scotland today, calling for home rule within the United Kingdom to help improve communities north of the border.

In an article for The Scotsman, the Scottish Labour leader said he feared for the future of the UK if we did not “act radically and justly now.” 

Outlining his plans for constitutional change in Scotland, he called for greater devolved powers within a reformed political system to allow for an overhaul of public services and the economy.

He wrote: “I oppose Scottish independence because I firmly believe a home rule settlement within the United Kingdom would offer us the best opportunities for transformative change.

“I am energised by this prospect now more than ever because I believe that the visions for Scotland proffered by both the Tories and the SNP will only inflame the divisions in our society — not resolve them.

“If earlier generations had not possessed vision, and campaigned with conviction, there would be no NHS, no welfare state, no equal rights, no Open University, no full employment, no publicly owned housing.

“Nicola Sturgeon and Boris Johnson might offer quick fixes, but our times are crying out for long-term vision, courage and ambition.”

Accepting his party’s failings on constitutional questions during last month’s election, he said the party needs to analyse why it is no longer seen as the vehicle for transformational change in Scotland.

Mr Leonard said: “We cannot get away from the fact that many voters — including large numbers of former Labour voters — have turned to the SNP to articulate their desire for change.

“I believe that home rule within the UK could allow us to make many of the changes that SNP voters want to see.

“The SNP should be setting out the kind of society and economy it wants to create, and its constitutional offer should follow.

“If that’s the society and economy that the Growth Commission sets out, then perhaps independence is the way to create it: but that’s a startling lack of aspiration from a so-called party of Scotland.”

His announcement comes ahead of a debate on a proposed second referendum on Scottish independence in Holyrood tomorrow.