Johann Lamont is the new Scottish Labour leader

Johann Lamont – “While I am delighted and honoured to be elected leader of Scottish Labour Party, I believe the real work starts now. In May, we fell short of people’s expectations and they turned away from us, unable to find a reason to give us their support. If we are to earn the right to serve the country, our challenge is to listen, to learn lessons and to demonstrate that we can change. I am confident that once again people will recognise that Scottish Labour is the party which understands their lives, can deliver their hopes and will stand up for Scotland.”

Anas Sarwar – “It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have been elected as the new deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party. I want to thank members from across the movement for their fantastic support. Scottish Labour will always put the interests of the people of Scotland first and work to build a more inclusive, equal and prosperous country: an ambitious Scotland, within a successful United Kingdom, not just talking about change, but leading it. I will work resolutely behind our new leader to make sure that the changes that are needed happen.This process of renewal is for one key purpose: to give the people of Scotland a Labour Party that they can trust, a Labour Party they can believe in, and a Labour Party that can win.”

Ed Miliband – “Many congratulations to Johann, the new and the first Scottish Labour Leader. It was right to create this powerful new position which carries with it the weight and authority of the whole party in Scotland. Scottish Labour needed to make this radical change to reflect the reality of the devolution that Labour delivered. Johann’s mission is to win back the trust of Scots and challenge the SNP – a party that is cutting capital spending and public sector jobs faster even than George Osborne. As the leader of the whole Scottish party, she will command the support of all the Scottish Labour parliamentarians, and I look forward to working with Johann and Anas as colleagues and friends.”

Margaret Curran MP – “I want to warmly congratulate Johann and Anas, who both ran excellent campaigns. This election has been fought in a comradely and good-natured fashion, not least because all the candidates know we have to change and change radically, but it has also invigorated our local parties and many of our supporters. I and the 41 Scottish Labour MPs who hold the UK government to account day in, day out look forward to working with our new leader to make sure that Scottish Labour is back on the park doing what the people of our country expect: speaking out and doing what is right for Scotland.”

Ken Macintosh MSP – “I want to congratulate my colleague and friend Johann Lamont on becoming the first leader of a fully devolved Scottish Labour Party. This campaign has shown that our party has the ideas, the policies and the passion to be the voice of Scotland once again. We will now unite behind our new leader and move forward, together.”

Tom Harris MP – “This has been an exhilarating process and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the campaign. It has been a genuine privilege to be part of this election. In the last few weeks I’ve got to know Ken and Johann very well, and I’ve been impressed by their commitment to Scotland and to Scottish Labour. They are people of principle and commitment. Our party is in safe hands and our new leader deserves the respect and loyalty of every member in every part of the Labour movement.”