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Richard Leonard has vowed to fund £40billion of new investment in Scottish industry through tax rises for high earners if he becomes First Minister.

The Scottish Labour leader has struggled to gain a public profile since defeating Anas Sarwar in a contest for the top job last November.

But in a wide-ranging interview in which he addressed Brexit , a second Scottish referendum and anti-Semitism, Leonard insisted his message of “radical change” is now breaking through with voters disillusioned with a “timid” SNP.

The 56-year-old former union official said: “One of the Scottish Government’s own reports found that the richest one per cent of the country now owns more wealth than the bottom 50 per cent put together.

“So my argument is that the SNP are far too timid in their approach to addressing this growing wealth divide and also the growing gap between the demand for public services and the amount of resources going into them – whether that be schools, the NHS or care for the elderly.

(Image: PA)

“My message for the people of Scotland is that there is a real alternative to this growing gap between the rich and poor, and increasingly impoverished public services.

“We’ve said there will be £40billion available for new investment in infrastructure and industry over a decade to get the economy going again. We’ve made no secret of the fact we think those with the broadest shoulders should bear the burden of tax we need to raise to fund the public services all of us rely on.”

When asked if this would include using Holyrood’s new powers to increase income tax for high earners, the Labour leader’s reply was instant.

He said: “Yes, we would. I believe there needs to be a once-in-a-generation review of taxation.

“We’re prepared to increase the top rate from 45p in the rest of the UK and 46p in Scotland, back to 50p. We think the 1p on the top rate by the SNP didn’t go anywhere near far enough.

“We’ve said the 50p rate is the right place for us to be and we would keep that under review because we are an anti-austerity party. We also need to have a debate about some form of wealth tax.

“It could be a one-off, or it could be a new form of regular taxation.

“The concern I have is that we currently tax earned income at a much higher rate than unearned income, for example through dividend payments on shares and increases in the value of property.”

(Image: AFP)

Leonard is from Yorkshire, but moved to Scotland in 1980 to study at Stirling University.

He was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 as a member for Central Scotland and lives in Paisley with wife Karen. He has two children – a son and stepdaughter.

Unsurprisingly, given his willingness to propose income tax increases for the rich, the 50p rate would hit those earning more than £150,000 a year.

Leonard is also open about his traditional Labour views on public ownership in industry. He added: “We’re offering a radical agenda for change – we’re talking confidently about public ownership.

“The Scottish Government talk about public ownership of bus services as a last resort – well, I think it should be a first resort.

“I don’t say that in the abstract because I know how ­successful it has been in Edinburgh.

“There’s no dividend payments to shareholders, directors’ bonuses or anything like that – everything goes back into the service and for that reason it is the best in the country.

“If we rely on the market alone we may squander national assets.

“In the North Sea, for example, decommissioning work is all too often going overseas.

“One of the big problems with the renewables industry meanwhile is how little work is coming to Scotland despite huge public subsidies.

“There’s a strategic role for the public sector to make sure there is a supply chain benefit and jobs dividend when we are putting public money into projects.

“And there’s a case to look at whether there’s a public company who could operate in the North Sea alongside the private sector.”

(Image: Getty)

Leonard’s radical agenda does not however stretch to Scottish independence. He made clear his opposition to a second referendum – even distancing himself from Jeremy Corbyn’s suggestion it was up to the Scottish Parliament to decide whether to hold one.

He added: “I think if ever there was going to be a second referendum you would need both UK and Scottish agreement on how that would work.

“In 2014, we had the Edinburgh Agreement and without making too forceful an analogy, we can see what has happened in Catalonia.

“I’m absolutely against a rerun. We had a referendum in 2014 and the will of the people was expressed.”

His aversion extends to another referendum the Brexit vote – despite a poll last week showing most Scots want one.

He added: “I campaigned to remain in the EU but I respect the result and I don’t think politicians should play fast and loose with that.

“There is still an opportunity for a deal with a customs union that would allow for a soft border in Northern Ireland and would allow a free flow of goods.

“It would be a negotiated customs union and (Labour Brexit secretary) Keir Starmer has spoken about having alignment with the single market.

“If Theresa May can’t get a deal through parliament it will create a constitutional crisis and a general election will have to be called.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Leonard also spoke of his admiration for party leader Jeremy Corbyn – but insisted he is his own man in Scotland.

He added: “I first met him in 1989 and, since my election, he has been up here a few times to campaign because he recognises the importance of Scotland if he is going to get to 10 Downing Street.

“I have a huge respect for him and we work well together but I am quite sure there will be times when we will take a different view of things.”

Leonard also denied allegations of anti-Semitism made against Corbyn.

He added: “Jeremy is not anti-Semitic – this is a man who has spent his political career fighting racism.

“The Labour Party do have to get out and win back the confidence of the Jewish community.

“There has been a shaking of their confidence and whether that has been directed, or it is just a feeling people have got, we need to restore that trust.

“We need also to have space in the Labour Party to discuss the Middle East and the relationship between Israel and Palestine.”

While he has lived in Scotland for many years, Leonard confirmed England was still his team when it came to football.

He added: “I watched most of England’s games in the World Cup. I will support Scotland in every game bar one.

“I really do hope Scotland qualify for the Euros.”