The SNP has called on Scottish Labour MPs to support its efforts to force a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. SNP chief whip Kirsty Blackman urged Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to "put his money where his mouth is" and whip his party's MPs to back the rebellion.
SNP Moves to Force Vote
The SNP announced on Wednesday that it would attempt to force a vote on Sir Keir's future through an amendment to the King's Speech. New SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan stated that the "leadership circus can't go on any longer," as he seeks to compel Labour MPs to declare their position on the Prime Minister's tenure if he does not resign voluntarily.
The King's Speech, scheduled for Wednesday, will outline the 35 Bills that constitute Sir Keir's legislative agenda for the coming year.
Blackman's Challenge to Sarwar
Ms Blackman, SNP MP for Aberdeen North, emphasised that Mr Sarwar, who previously called for Sir Keir to resign, should now instruct his Westminster MPs to back the SNP's plan. She remarked: "Anas Sarwar has repeatedly failed to act on his opportunistic election stunt call for Keir Starmer to resign in February. At every opportunity that Sarwar has had to put his call into action, and actually remove the Prime Minister, he has chickened out."
She asserted that the Scottish Labour leader has "one more opportunity to act," adding: "The question is, will he back the vote of no confidence or will he keep Starmer in post and allow this Westminster circus to go on and on?"
Ms Blackman urged Mr Sarwar to "finally put his money where his mouth is and whip Scottish Labour Party MPs to back a vote of no confidence in Keir Starmer or his empty words will amount to nothing." She continued: "The outgoing Scottish Labour Party leader must step up to the plate and do his bit to end the Westminster leadership crisis – or the Labour Government will continue to be completely distracted from the issues that matter, including helping families with the cost-of-living emergency, which has soared under Keir Starmer."
Labour Accused of Being Distracted
Ms Blackman accused Labour of being "completely consumed by the chaos of Keir Starmer leadership" at a time when families are struggling with the cost of living. She added: "After taking the Scottish Labour Party to their worst ever result, this could be one of Anas Sarwar's final acts as leader. He must do the right thing."
Scottish Labour has been approached for comment.
