Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has declared that a vote for Labour in Scotland is not a vote for Sir Keir Starmer, acknowledging that he too is "angry and disappointed" with Westminster politics. Writing in The Independent, Mr Sarwar urged voters to back his party to "save the NHS" and emphasised that the upcoming Holyrood election is the first opportunity in two decades to change the government in Scotland.
Sarwar distances himself from Starmer
Mr Sarwar, who called for the prime minister to resign in February, stressed that the election is not a protest or a free hit. "It's not an election without consequence, about protest or some kind of free hit," he wrote. "It's about our schools and hospitals, and getting change in Scotland." He added that a vote for Scottish Labour is not an endorsement of Keir Starmer and will not be used as one, but rather a chance to change the first minister.
The intervention comes as discontent over Sir Keir's leadership escalates, with local elections expected to deliver a brutal result for Labour across the UK. Meanwhile, the SNP is predicted to win the Holyrood elections once again, with Labour and Reform UK competing for second place.
Labour's declining support in Scotland
Labour's turbulent first two years in office have eroded its support in Scotland, despite the party's landslide victory in the 2024 general election. Mr Sarwar sought to distance his party from Labour's Westminster record, arguing that the SNP wants the election to be about anything but Scotland. "The SNP want this election to be about anything other than Scotland or their record. They instead want to point at Westminster. I get that people are angry and disappointed about Westminster and Holyrood, I am too," he wrote.
He warned voters that rejecting Reform UK and defeating the SNP requires backing Scottish Labour. "Only Scottish Labour can replace the SNP in the constituencies that matter. Only Scottish Labour can form a serious alternative government. Only Scottish Labour can turn frustration into something better," he said.
Leadership plot against Starmer
Reports suggest that Labour MPs are plotting to oust Sir Keir after the local elections, with an open letter reminiscent of the one that pressured Sir Tony Blair two decades ago. According to The Times, MPs blame the prime minister for the expected poor results and want him to set a departure date. Housing minister Steve Reed urged an end to the "psychodrama" and warned against "doomscrolling through leaders."
Mr Sarwar's latest remarks follow his February call for the prime minister to quit, citing "too many mistakes" from Number 10. He said then that "the distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change."
