Anas Sarwar has resigned as Scottish Labour leader to become a lord and minister in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Downing Street has said.
Appointment Details
Downing Street announced 47 new ministerial appointments late on Wednesday night, along with 17 re-appointments. Lord Anas, who has been Scottish Labour leader since 2021, was among the first to call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down in February.
Statement from Lord Anas
A statement from Lord Anas said: “Throughout my life, I have only ever been motivated by public service. The opportunity to serve our country is all I have ever asked. That’s why this is an opportunity I humbly accept.
“From working as an NHS dentist, through my time as Member of Parliament, Member of the Scottish Parliament and as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, it has been an honour to serve the people of the great City of Glasgow and across Scotland. Looking back over the last five years, I am hugely proud of the work we have done since I became Scottish Labour Leader.
“To all my colleagues in both Parliaments and to all our amazing staff - thank you for everything you have done, and I’m sure will continue to do - for the Labour movement and for Scotland. I look forward to continuing to support you in those efforts, albeit from a different role.
“The Scottish Labour Party has a range of talent among our Members of the Scottish Parliament. The best interests of the individuals, families, and communities we seek to represent is served by having a strong and effective Labour Party. I will work with my successor to deliver that.”
Reaction from John Swinney
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney hit out at the “hypocrisy” of the expected appointment earlier on Wednesday. Speaking to the Press Association, the First Minister said: “I think what it demonstrates is an appalling level of judgment by Anas Sarwar.
“He said before the (Holyrood) election he had absolutely no interest in going to the House of Lords, he only wanted to be first minister of Scotland. Then, after the election, Anas Sarwar has accepted a place in the House of Lords – a body, by the way, he wants to abolish.
“That is an incredible level of hypocrisy and it just illustrates what I think the Prime Minister is trying to address, which is the fact that politicians say one thing one minute and then do another thing the next minute, when it suits them. That, I thought, was what Andy Burnham was trying to address and to solve. But instead, Andy Burnham has exacerbated that sentiment within our society.”
Acting Leader Appointed
Acting Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie MSP said: “I want to thank Anas Sarwar for his leadership and friendship. He led the Scottish Labour Party with integrity and a vision to build a fairer and more equal Scotland.
“These are the same values I am sure he will now champion in government. The Scottish Executive Committee will meet to agree a timetable for the election of the next Leader of the Scottish Labour Party. Further details of the Leadership election will be communicated in due course.”
