Here's what Michael Marra needs to do to restore Scottish Labour's fortunes

Marra described his new role as a “singular honour and a great responsibility”, saying he would “take on the duty of advancing our cause of a fairer, more equal Scotland with all that I can possibly give”.

So, what’s the best way to advance that cause? Clearly, when in a position of weakness, making alliances is a sensible strategy. Labour should now reach out to other parties, particularly the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

A cacophony of opposition voices, all saying something different, may struggle to be heard. If they can reach a broad agreement on specific issues, they could help amplify their messages and put the SNP under pressure.

READ MORE: Michael Marra named new leader of Scottish Labour

Act like a party of government

Marra should also recognise that focussing on negative campaigning against the nationalists is unlikely to cut through to their hardcore supporters who will simply dismiss this as ‘SNP bad’ propaganda. The nationalists were re-elected thanks the support of only about one in five of the electorate, half of whom didn’t bother to vote, so that hardcore now forms the bulk of their voters.

Labour needs to take a more positive approach, acting less like the opposition and more like a party of government. Putting forward credible policies and making constructive suggestions is more likely to impress floating and non-voters, many of whom will be sick of crumbling public services, high taxes and economic incompetence.

Instead of ‘everything is terrible and it’s all your fault’, Labour’s message should essentially be ‘here’s how to fix Scotland’s problems’. If nothing else, it might provide the SNP with some much-needed good ideas or shame them into doing their jobs more effectively.

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However, as at the 2024 general election when UK Labour was riding high, and in May when the Keir Starmer effect scuppered the party’s chances, Scottish Labour’s fortunes will largely be determined at Westminster.

In Andy Burnham, they have Scotland’s most popular leading politician. A recent poll gave him a personal rating of plus nine, while other party leaders’ scores were negative. If that holds, Marra could find himself riding a wave to electoral success. If not, he and his once-great party will likely continue their slide towards complete and utter irrelevance.