Sir Keir Starmer has said the union is 'renewing' and 'old wounds are beginning to heal' during his keynote speech at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
In what may be his final conference speech before an election, the 61-year-old addressed it to both the hall and the wider British public.
And after years of SNP dominance in Scotland, Mr Starmer said the "tide is turning" north of the border.
He said: "Scotland can lead the way to a Labour Government, but be under no illusions – we must earn every vote.
"And we must understand that the Scottish people are not just looking at us, they’re also looking at Britain.
"The challenge of change remains but, nonetheless, conference for the first time in a long time we can see a tide that is turning. Four nations that are renewing.
"Old wounds of division – exploited by the Tories and the SNP – beginning to heal. So let the message from Rutherglen and Hamilton West ring out across Britain: Labour serves working people in Scotland because Labour serves working people across all these islands."
Green investment
The Labour leader hits back at government's decision to roll back key decarbonisation policy, as he placed green investment and planning reform at heart of pitch to the country
He promised that a Labour government would "speed ahead" with its plans to turbocharge green infrastructure investment across the UK economy.
He outlined his desire to remove planning barriers and boost investment in renewable energy, grid infrastructure, electric vehicle manufacturing, and green steel plants.
Business welcomes long-term vision
Shevaun
Haviland, Director General of the BCC, said: “Labour is right to say that reforming the planning system,
speeding up energy grid connections and delivering the infrastructure this
country needs to grow are key issues facing business.
“The
commitment to invest and grow the UK’s world leading green industries is also
welcomed as this sector is vital to the future of our economy."
She added: “Ultimately, businesses invest more
when there is a credible long-term plan, so it was good to hear Keir Starmer
thinking beyond the here and now, and committing to providing the clarity and
certainty that firms crave.”