WEST FIFE MSP Alex Rowley has confirmed that he’ll be throwing his hat in the ring to be Scottish Labour’s deputy leader.

The Cowdenbeath MSP has established that he will be standing on a “platform for change” and seeking “a new approach from Labour Scotland”.

Nominations opened on Monday and, as it currently stands, Mr Rowley – a close ally of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and an ex-general secretary of the party – Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson and North East Scotland MSP Richard Baker are in the contest for the deputy leader post.

The Scottish Labour elections were triggered after leader Jim Murphy stepped down following the party’s disastrous showing in the the General Elections last month.

Speaking to the Press, Mr Rowley said, “I am standing on a platform for change.

“It is ironic that it was Labour who delivered devolution, it was Labour that delivered our Parliament in Edinburgh and yet it is Labour that has struggled to come to terms with the fact that both our Parliament and our country have grown in confidence and in a desire for change.

“I want a Labour Party in Scotland that is progressive in its thinking and ambitious in its agenda for a Scotland where everyone gets the chance to succeed and I am asking party members and supporters to give me their vote so I can drive a new approach from Labour Scotland that will once again gain the trust and support of the communities we seek to service.” Nominations for the positions close on Friday, with balloting on 14th August. Results are expected on 15th August.