An MSP who helped lead a root and branch review of the Scottish Labour Party after its disastrous performance in the 2011 Holyrood election is bidding to become its next leader.
Sarah Boyack, a former Scottish Executive minister, said plans to restructure the movement were “unfinished business”.
The Lothians MSP launched her campaign after Johann Lamont dramatically stepped down from the top job on Friday night, claiming the UK Labour Party treated Scotland like “a branch office”.
It is understood the final straw for Ms Lamont was the removal of Scottish Labour general secretary Ian Price without her consultation.
Ms Boyack, 53, co-chaired the review of Scottish Labour with potential rival Jim Murphy who is expected to launch his leadership bid in the coming days.
Lothians MSP Neil Findlay, shadow health secretary, has also been tipped as a candidate but would not reveal yesterday whether he intends to stand.
Ms Boyack, first elected an MSP in 1999, said: “We need a lively debate, we need a robust debate and we need to involve people across the whole country and reach out to the people that we have worked with over the last few months.
“People have huge ambition for Scotland and it’s the Labour Party, I believe, that can take those agendas forward and make Scotland the place it needs to be.
“So, it’s a great chance for the Labour Party to get back out there, to talk to people and to rebuild our movement and our message.”
Ms Boyack said Scottish Labour would be the key party in the run-up to the general election next year and it was “absolutely crucial” that an Ed Miliband government should be elected.
She added: “I did the review of the Labour Party just a couple of years ago, there is unfinished business there.
“But the key thing is what does the Labour Party stand for, how can we work together and how can we support people around the country?”