Scotland is my country, the nation that shaped me, that taught me my values. A nation whose achievements inspired and inspire me, a community whose failings drive me - drive my overwhelming desire to fight for social justice and equality.

I love hard political debate and I love beating somebody on a political point but what I'm more frustrated by is the politics where you play the man not the politics.

The Scottish Labour Party, while I have breath in my body, will listen to the views of trade unionists.

We shall seek debate without division or rancour.

We do students a great disservice by implying that one set of students is more important than another.

We must listen and learn, show humility and seek again to talk for and to people's ambitions and concerns.

Progressive politics is not something to be bolted on to another cause.