Both contenders in the race to become Labour’s leader north of the border have said it must become the party of the whole of Scotland if it is to win again.
Former deputy leader Kezia Dugdale and second-time hopeful Ken Macintosh will find out tomorrow who has secured the spot vacated by Jim Murphy after May’s catastrophic general election result.
The party suffered near wipe-out, winning just one seat north of the border – shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray’s Edinburgh South constituency.
Whoever emerges victorious will face a mammoth task to rebuild support, both in the former heartlands and more broadly.
Inverness-born Mr Macintosh said he did not want Scottish Labour to be just a central belt party.
He told The Press and Journal: “I want to have a far, far broader appeal. I want us to be a party for the whole of Scotland.
“My roots, my political values come from the Highlands. They were not shaped in the heavy industry of the west coast of Scotland.
“I know Labour values have as much resonance in Aberdeen, in Keith, in Banff as anywhere else in Scotland.”
Among the policies he has pledged to pursue are plans for a large-scale housing programme, an end to centrally-imposed council tax and investment in transport infrastructure.
The latter was particularly crucial in the north and north-east, he said, adding: “It’s important that a vital part of our economy like the north-east enjoys the best links to the rest of the country.”
Aberdeen-born Ms Dugdale said her party would only move forward by reaching out to the whole country.
The daughter of two teachers, who was raised in Elgin, said that instinctively would be her approach having been brought up in the area and knowing it well.
She also stressed the importance of supporting Aberdeen to prepare for the future in the context of low oil prices.
“We need to help the north-east diversify. We know the oil price is going to remain low for a considerable period and we know it’s a finite thing,” she said.
“So we have to make sure we help Aberdeen prepare itself for the future.
“Aberdeen’s future is incredibly exciting, but we have got to help the north-east realise that possibility.”
Meanwhile, the three-horse race for the deputy leadership also comes to an end this weekend, with the winner due to be announced on the same day.
The candidates are north-east MSP Richard Baker, Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley and Glasgow Council leader Gordon Matheson.
Mr Baker, who fought the Aberdeen North seat in May, but lost to the SNP’s Kirsty Blackman, urged members to have a greater say over policies.
He also criticised the Scottish Government’s “tendency to centralise power” at Holyrood and said more control should be handed back to local communities.
Scottish Labour moved to the one person, one vote system used to elect the UK party leader for the contest.
Only MPs, MSPs and MEPs could put themselves forward for the leadership race.
The same applied to the deputy leadership contest, but it was also open to councillors.
Voting closes today and the winners will be announced at the Stirling Court Hotel at the University of Stirling tomorrow.