Anas Sarwar's reputation is now "in bits" after his "self-serving decision to cut and run to London", GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour has said.
Ms Gilmour said Mr Sarwar's decision to join the House of Lords was "like most of his time in charge: predictable, thoughtless, and deeply disappointing". Mr Sarwar announced his resignation as Scottish Labour leader last week, becoming a minister in Andy Burnham's UK Government. The move came after the party's worst Holyrood election result.
Leadership contest underway
Scottish Labour is now looking for its sixth leader since 2014. Three MSPs – Michael Marra, Joe Fagan and Monica Lennon – have publicly declared their intention to run. Katy Clark is also reportedly considering entering the race.
Ms Gilmour, whose union funds Labour, criticised Mr Sarwar for leaving the party for the Lords, something he had previously said he would not do.
Scathing column
Writing in the Daily Record, Ms Gilmour said: "Anas Sarwar's sudden resignation as the leader of Scottish Labour was, like most of his time in charge: predictable, thoughtless, and deeply disappointing."
"His self-serving decision to cut and run to London, the House of Lords and a walk-on role in Andy Burnham's Government leaves his reputation in bits and his party in dereliction."
Ms Gilmour said the politician's "sharp exit" had "dismayed supporters, cheered opponents, and repelled voters". She said a "better leader would have let the dust settle to understand what was left of his decimated and demoralised party before helping it pick a way forward".
Call for review
The union leader went on: "Instead, he abandons ship, grabs a lifebelt and goes over the side, before a review of the party's hollow and calamitous election campaign – built on his own vibes-based leadership – is even written, never mind understood."
Ms Gilmour said Scottish Labour should have "paused" the leadership contest until a review of Mr Sarwar's campaign had taken place. She urged the party to focus on issues such as jobs rather than the constitution, adding: "That means industrial strategies, underpinned by public procurement and government support, delivering good jobs, fair pay, apprenticeships, training, social cohesion and economic growth."
"It means a properly-resourced, prioritised public sector, where decisions are devolved, social care is properly valued, and interminable talk and taskforces replaced with swift and effective action."
She said Scottish Labour had to "establish what it is and who it is for", warning that if it was not a party for "the working man and women of Scotland, their families and their communities, it stands on sand".
