Henry McLeish: Labour must revive leftist heart LABOUR'S new leader must re-capture the "left-leaning" sympathies of Scots voters to revive the party's fortunes, former first minister Henry McLeish has said. The SNP's success in portraying itself as Scotland's party of the left is seen as a key factor in the Nationalists" success in recent years. Former Scottish secretary Jim Murphy, Holyrood health spokesman Neil Findlay and former transport minister Sarah Boyack will contest the party leadership. Mr McLeish said: "There's a left-leaning feel in Scotland and we've got to capture that ground again. It's not a matter of lurching to the left or lurching anywhere, it's actually saying that we're a social democratic party, we believe in investment in the state, we believe in social partnership. If the candidates can come forward and do that, they're in tune with the problems and they're in tune with the future. Despite some bleak opinion polling which suggests the party could face a heavy defeat from the SNP in next May's general election, Mr McLeish insists a recovery is possible. He said: "I believe there's a huge reservoir of support out there for Labour. We've drifted a lot, but if we get our act together, Ed Miliband's position need not be undermined and we can still send the same number of MPs to Westminster. Nominations for the vacant leadership close today, following Johann Lamont's acrimonious departure from the helm of the party, when she accused Mr Miliband, the UK Labour leader, of treating Scotland like a "branch office" of the party. A survey of 5,000 Unite members yesterday found more than three-quarters (78 per cent) said the new leader should be an MSP. Mr Murphy has said he hopes to become an MSP at the 2016 election or earlier. Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale launched her candidacy for the deputy leadership yesterday, joining MP Katy Clark. The North Ayrshire and Arran MP is confident of getting the one additional nomination to secure the ten she needs to stand by this afternoon's deadline.