Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has declared that Scots have the opportunity to "make history" on election day by removing the Scottish National Party (SNP) from power after nearly two decades. Speaking at a rally in Glasgow on the eve of the election, Sarwar urged party members to "pull off a surprise" and outperform polling expectations.
Sarwar's Rallying Cry
Addressing a crowd that included a tearful Jackie Baillie, his deputy, and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, Sarwar insisted that Labour is fighting to win and form the next government, despite surveys suggesting the party could face a historic defeat and finish third behind Reform UK and the SNP. "I look forward to leading Scottish Labour and leading the next Scottish Government into supporting this great country for the next five years," Sarwar said when asked about his leadership prospects regardless of the outcome.
Baillie told the audience that the party's message was clear: "Reject Reform, beat the SNP, change Scotland." Sarwar received a standing ovation as he urged voters to give him five years to improve Scotland's hospitals, schools, and streets after what he called "managed decline" under the SNP. "You have given John Swinney and the SNP 20 years – give me five," he said. "In that time, we will demonstrate that we can fix the NHS, we can make life more affordable and we can build a better future for Scotland. But that means rejecting Reform, beating the SNP, changing Scotland, and the only way to do that is by voting Scottish Labour."
Key Constituencies and Warnings
Sarwar predicted that the election would be decided by 38 "knife-edge" constituencies that represent a "straight choice" between Scottish Labour and the SNP. He warned that Reform UK are the "midwives of an SNP government," claiming that "every single vote" for Reform is "a vote to help the SNP and to keep the SNP in power." He added, "If you want to get rid of the SNP and you want to change this country and reject Reform in the process, you need to vote Scottish Labour."
Reactions from Other Parties
Angus Roberton, SNP campaign director and candidate for Edinburgh Central, countered that "only the SNP can stop Nigel Farage at the border" and accused Labour of wanting to "line up to do a grubby deal with Reform." He said, "John Swinney's trusted and reliable leadership is firmly on Scotland's side, while the Westminster parties have absolutely nothing to offer the people of Scotland. Only an SNP majority can lock out Nigel Farage and unlock independence – that's what's on the ballot and only both votes SNP can ensure it."
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton acknowledged that voters feel "let down" by other parties. "We think Scotland deserves better than this," he said. "But it needs to be change with fairness at its heart. In many constituencies we are on the verge of winning against the SNP but, wherever you are, every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart."
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton criticised Scottish Labour, saying, "Scottish Labour are paying the price for the litany of broken promises and U-turns by the useless Keir Starmer. Anas Sarwar campaigned relentlessly to inflict this dud Prime Minister on the country and is shamelessly trying to disown him now." She added that the Scottish Conservatives offer a "credible low-tax, pro-growth alternative" and are "the only party that can be trusted to stand up for Scotland's place in the union."
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay argued that Labour has "proven that they are not the change Scotland needs," accusing them of ducking big questions and mimicking Reform. She said, "Thursday is a chance to make history. The polls show that the Scottish Greens are on course for a breakthrough, but we know we can go even further. Every Green vote can elect MSPs who will stand up for Scotland, stand against Reform's politics of division, and push for the bold action that Labour and the SNP have failed to deliver."
