Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has issued a stark warning to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to stay away from his party's campaign for the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
A Direct Plea to Westminster
In a significant move that highlights tensions within Labour, Mr Sarwar publicly advised the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to remain working 'in their departments' at Westminster rather than travelling north to campaign. This direct criticism underscores the perceived drag Sir Keir's UK administration is having on Scottish Labour's prospects.
Speaking to supporters in Edinburgh, Sarwar acknowledged the public mood, stating he knows people across Scotland are 'angry, frustrated and impatient' with the pace of change from the UK Government. He conceded that Sir Keir and his team are 'not popular with the public right now'.
The Stakes for May's Election
The intervention comes with Scottish Labour battling to prevent the SNP from securing a historic fifth consecutive term in power at Holyrood in the elections set for May. The party faces a dual challenge, not only from the dominant nationalists but also from a resurgent Reform UK, with polls suggesting Nigel Farage's party could outperform both Labour and the Conservatives in the Scottish contests.
These crucial devolved elections, alongside votes in Wales and local contests in England, are widely seen as a key test of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership. A disastrous set of results is expected to trigger moves among Labour MPs to try and oust the Prime Minister.
Sarwar's Defiant Stance
In his address, Sarwar sought to put clear distance between his campaign and the Westminster government. While acknowledging the UK administration's achievements, he stated plainly that 'they haven't got everything right'.
When asked if he wanted Sir Keir to campaign alongside him in Scotland, Sarwar was unequivocal. 'The best thing that Keir Starmer and the UK Labour Government can do is be behind their doors and in their departments getting things right and changing our country,' he told reporters.
He emphatically positioned himself as the face of the campaign, declaring: 'I am leading this campaign, I am the candidate for first minister, I'm the one that's going to go out and make the case to Scotland.' His message is one of defiance, running for First Minister not in denial of Westminster's unpopularity, but in spite of it.
