Scottish Labour leadership contender Neil Findlay said yesterday that he wanted his party to “walk the walk” — in a direct challenge to SNP First Minister-in-waiting Nicola Sturgeon.

The left-wing Lothians MSP said the SNP deputy leader’s attempts to woo disaffected Labour voters were “all talk” 

Mr Findlay said: “Ms Sturgeon’s plan is to sound like the Labour Party even though her policies are increasing inequality and costing jobs in councils and cutting college places up and down Scotland. 

“She can certainly talk the talk but that’s all she’ll do. 

“To counter that Labour needs policies that walk the walk and under my leadership that’s what we’ll have.” 

He also dismissed Ms Sturgeon’s claim that he planned to move away from the principle of universalism as “complete rubbish.”

“My support is for the principle of universalism and we have a tax system that we can use to finance that potentially, and that’s what we should be examining,” he declared.

Mr Findlay launched his Scottish Labour leadership campaign at the weekend, pledging a national strategy to end poverty in Scotland at the heart of Labour’s 2016 Holyrood manifesto.

His radical policy agenda includes a plan to build 50,000 new council homes. 

“There are 150,000 on waiting lists — it’s simply not acceptable,” he said.

To cheers in the packed hall he confirmed: “There will be no privatisation of Scotland’s NHS under my leadership.

“Many voted Yes in September’s independence referendum for two reasons — social justice and disappointment with Labour.”

He continued: “We have a big job to do in speaking to the 55 per cent who voted No, as well as the 45 per cent who backed independence.”

On Saturday he described himself as “delighted” to add the support of the GMB union to that of Unison, Unite, TSSA, Ucatt and Aslef.

Miners’ club packed out with Findlay supporters

Hundreds of supporters crowded into a miners’ welfare club in West Lothian to cheer left-wing MSP Neil Findlay as he laid out a policy manifesto for victory based on “real labour values.”

The gathering at the pit village of Fauldhouse where Mr Findlay lives saw handmade placards created by his young nieces Millie and Emily, which read “Uncle Neil for leader” and “Go uncle Neil!”

And there were emotional endorsements by two people for whom Mr Findlay’s leadership bid means new hope.

Elaine Holmes, who has led the campaign for women affected by faulty transvaginal mesh implants, paid tribute to the support given by Mr Findlay.

“At long last I have someone to believe in,” she said. “Neil is what is needed to lead Scottish Labour out of its doldrums.”

Jimmy Gordon from Bathgate said Mr Findlay was “a light at the end of the tunnel,” to cheers from the crowd.

“He’s standing up for genuine Scottish working-class values — and I’m even thinking of joining the Labour Party now,” Mr Gordon added.