Anas Sarwar targets SNP voters as he makes case for Labour's push for power at scene of by-election win
Humza Yousaf is also pitching to the electorate in Glasgow Uni speech
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will target pro-independence voters as he kicks off his election campaign in a speech on Monday.
With a general election expected in the next 12 months, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak having indicated last week he favoured the second half of the year, Mr Sarwar will make his pitch to secure support for his party north of the border and pave the way for Sir Keir Starmer to take over in Downing Street.
It comes as First Minister Humza Yousaf is expected to announce Scottish independence would raise living standards and productivity.
He’s speaking at the University of Glasgow, drawing comparisons between the SNP, Labour and the Tories, as well as releasing plans for industrial policy in an independent Scotland.
Speaking in Rutherglen, the scene of the party's momentous by-election win last year, Mr Sarwar will say people across the country are "hungry for change" as he urged voters to give his party "the opportunity to show you that we can make the UK work for every corner of our country".
"Let me say to those that may have supported independence in the past, and may even consider it in the future," he is expected to say.
"I don't support independence, and I don't support a referendum, but I accept that we need change right now.
Unite to change our country
"We may ultimately disagree on the final destination for Scotland, but on this part of the journey, let's unite to change our country and get rid of this Tory Government.
"Give us the opportunity to show you that we can make the UK work for every corner of our country, including here in Scotland.
"The chance to show you that change is possible, and that this isn't as good as it gets."
At the outset of 2024, Mr Sarwar and the Labour Party have been riding high in the polls for months, with the Tories struggling and the SNP coming off a year that included a change in leader and high-profile arrests relating to an investigation into the party's finances.
The Scottish Labour leader will describe 2024 as a "momentous year", adding: "It can be the year of change, our opportunity for change after 13 years of failure under the Tories.
"But after 16 years of decline and incompetence, it is a chance to turn the page on the SNP too.
"I know people across our country are hungry for change."