Anas Sarwar has quit as Scottish Labour leader to take a job in new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Government. As revealed exclusively by the Daily Record, he will join the House of Lords to become a minister at the revamped Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, headed by Jonathan Reynolds.
A Holyrood ban on 'dual mandates' means he cannot be an MSP and peer at the same time and will resign from the Scottish Parliament soon. He will also resign as Scottish Labour leader, forcing a leadership contest.
Reaction to the move
A Scottish Labour MP said it was a "f****** awful look" for Sarwar to join an unelected chamber. A second Scottish Labour source attacked the decision: "Anas leaves as leader after delivering Scottish Labour’s worst ever result for the second election in a row. No one thinks he ought to shoulder sole blame for the result but after claiming he was sticking around to rebuild the party only for him to walk away at the first chance of a cushy ministerial gig and a seat in the Lords will come as a kick in the teeth to hard working members who put their faith in him."
Sarwar was elected leader of Scottish Labour in 2021 and has served in the post for five years. He lost two Holyrood elections but presided over a thumping general election victory in 2024. Sarwar hoped to win May’s election, but in the end led his party to their worst result in the history of devolution.
The Glasgow MSP has been in London for Burnham’s reshuffle and his friendship with the new PM been rewarded. The pair are said to be pals and Sarwar is believed to have been relieved he toppled Keir Starmer. Sarwar famously called for Starmer to quit in February after becoming frustrated with the mistakes of the Government. He was expected to cling on as Scottish Labour leader until later this year but has accepted a job in the Government.
Future leadership and political fallout
Standing down as Glasgow MSP will likely mean a return for Monica Lennon, who Sarwar defeated in the 2021 Scottish Labour leadership contest. She could be a contender in any contest, with MSPs Michael Marra and Paul Sweeney also tipped to stand.
SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown said: “This is a terrible look for Andy Burnham who waxed lyrical about a new politics and devolving power - he’s just pulled the most undemocratic trick in the Westminster book. Anas Sarwar led Scottish Labour to their worst ever election defeat, but as is always the case with the Labour Party, there’s always a cushty number in the House of Lords. What a signal to send after their democractic defeat - this is the Labour Party literally lording it over the people of Scotland. This morning Andy Burnham denied Scottish democracy in a phone call with Scotland’s First Minister, tonight he appoints a failed Scottish Labour leader to the Lords. This new Labour Government has deeply damaged its democratic credibility tonight. Andy Burnham raised the question of where power lies on these islands - it’s clear the Labour Party are still stubbornly determined to keep it firmly in the grip of a detached and undemocratic Westminster establishment.”
