Anas Sarwar has pledged to "give NHS waiting lists the chop" as he visited a karate dojo in Glasgow during the final weekend of Holyrood election campaigning. The Scottish Labour leader declared that the NHS "is not safe with John Swinney or the SNP" and promised to "rescue" the health system from two decades of SNP "failure."
Key pledges
Sarwar outlined his priorities as first minister: cutting NHS waiting lists, ending the 8am rush for a GP appointment, and "bringing back the family doctor." Scottish Labour would declare a waiting times emergency, break down barriers between health boards, and reform NHS funding so money follows the patient, allowing treatment wherever capacity exists. The party also committed to using all available capacity across Scotland and the UK, including short-term independent sector use, to speed up treatment without forcing patients to go private. Additional pledges include ending corridor care, reducing delayed discharge, and accelerating ambulance turnaround times.
Sarwar's statement
Speaking ahead of the dojo visit, Sarwar said: "Our NHS is not safe with John Swinney and the SNP. They have left patients waiting in pain, families without answers, and pushed our NHS to breaking point. You have given the SNP 20 years and Scotland has paid the price. Give me five to save our NHS." He called the election a "straight choice between more SNP failure and change with Scottish Labour."
Reactions from rivals
A Reform source mocked Sarwar's new hobby, suggesting he might help cut waiting lists by returning to NHS work after losing the election. SNP candidate Clare Haughey accused Labour of planning to cut £1 billion from the health budget, arguing that waiting times have fallen for ten consecutive months under the SNP. Tory health spokesman Dr Sandesh Gulhane criticised Labour, noting that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had broken promises, and urged Scots to vote Conservative to stop an SNP majority. Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain highlighted that 2,000 patients are stuck in hospital due to care shortages, costing £1.2 million daily, and proposed £400 million investment in care over three years to free up beds.
