Jim Murphy claims Labour are now the party of Yes following the Smith Commission report last week.
The Labour leadership hopeful says his party are the more positive one after the SNP leadership of Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Stewart Hosie all criticised the package of powers to be devolved under the Commission plans.
Speaking to The Sunday Post, he said: “When it comes to this massive change of powers, Labour has become the Yes party.
“The SNP have jumped into the No box, and after the last two years I know how uncomfortable that can be.”
And he accused the SNP of “shabby” behaviour in their response to the Commission.
He said: “The SNP signed up to a deal on the Wednesday then trashed it on the Thursday. To trash an agreement they are co-authors of is pretty shabby.”
Murphy is front-runner to replace Johann Lamont in just under two weeks’ time when the results of the party ballot are announced.
This week he will unveil proposals for what he’d do with the powers outlined in the Commission.
He said: “I will redraw the political map of Scotland and redefine devolution. When I went round the country in the summer one of the things I kept hearing is that politics is distant.
“People feel they are under the iron grip of the SNP on things that should be decided in local communities.
“I want to devolve as much of the Smith package as possible out of Holyrood and into Scottish cities. I don’t see the attraction of transferring powers from one capital city to another.”
He’s announced he’d introduce a 50p top rate of income tax in Scotland if he was First Minister.
He added: “There’s a sense that London and Edinburgh hoover up powers. I want to become First Minister to give power away.”
But he’s defended his U-turn when three weeks after ruling out devolving income tax to Scotland he last week endorsed the policy.
He explained: “I’m happy to say I changed my mind. I reflected on just how passionate people felt after the referendum about the need for change and the sense of restlessness.”
And he admitted to being excited about the leadership election.
He said: “It’s the chance to be head of the party that I’ve given 25 years of my life to and lead the country that I love. That’s exciting.
“I’m on a 15-stop tour. It’s a 100-mile-long job interview, but it’s a privilege.”
Meanwhile, it has emerged Neil Kinnock has backed Murphy for the leadership role. In an email to Scottish Labour Party members, the former UK Labour leader said Murphy hasd“the humility, vision and dynamism to give fresh strength to Labour and the humanity and deep understanding of real life to reconnect with and convince voters”.
Lord Kinnock said Mr Murphy had what it took to “recapture the support of the Scottish people”.
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