Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has dismissed the threat of a Liberal Democrat challenge for the political centre ground.
Tim Farron’s party last week positioned itself as a home for Labour voters disillusioned at the election of left-winger Jeremy Corbyn as leader.
But Aberdeen-born Ms Dugdale insisted she was not worried about losing supporters and would be focused on building a broad movement.
She told the Press and Journal at the Labour conference in Brighton: “I can’t say it’s something that keeps me awake at night.
“My job in Scotland is to build a broad movement, to appeal to all corners of the country, to people from all different walks of life who believe in a fair and more equal Scotland.
“I think if you share those values, the Labour party is your home.”
Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the values of the Labour movement still represent the values of the Scottish people.
He added: “They will see this won’t be a process about left, right or centre, this will be a process about trying to do what’s right for the country.
“All these tags about centre, right and left, new, old, are not the kind of tags the general public want to see in politics.
“They just want to see a party that is reflecting on their own traditional values.”
Asked how the party beats the SNP, which holds all bar one Westminster seat in the north and north-east, he stressed there were “no no-go areas” for the party.
“Kezia is reaching out to all parts of Scotland,” he said. “Jeremy Corbyn has said he wants to make sure he’s in every corner of Scotland.
“We have got to listen to all parts of Scotland and respond to that.
“If we do that successfully, particularly with things like the oil industry, I’m sure people will listen to us again and give us another chance.”
Ms Dugdale, who grew up in Elgin, announced this week that her party’s manifesto for next year’s Scottish elections will be the most pro-business ever.