Scottish Labour leadership contenders are distancing themselves from Anas Sarwar's record, with criticism of his election strategy and departure. The focus has shifted after Sarwar left for the House of Lords.
Contenders criticise Sarwar's manifesto and strategy
Monica Lennon, who is struggling to make the ballot, dismissed Sarwar's election manifesto as "boring and dull". At a hustings this week, Michael Marra criticised Sarwar's over-ambitious strategy of targeting 38 seats at the election. Marra said he was told on the day of the election he would win Dundee City West - only to lose comfortably by over 6,000 votes.
Fagan distances himself from Sarwar project
Joe Fagan, the third contender, used his launch to distance himself from the Sarwar project. He said Scottish Labour under the former leader had "put politics and tactics ahead of real outcomes for working people". He criticised the party's approach to the Budget process at Holyrood, claiming Labour had "sat on the sidelines", and upbraided Sarwar on the manner of his departure.
Gender self-id plans and Sarwar's departure
Fagan's questioning of Sarwar's approach to the SNP Government's gender self-id plans is another sign of open revolt. Sarwar backed the plans because, in the words of a source close to him, he wanted Labour to be on the "right side of history". But the legislation went up in smoke and recent court rulings, coupled with strong opposition from voters, means similar proposals will never come back.
Sarwar had visions of himself walking into Bute House as First Minister after 19 years in the wilderness. But it is open season on his five years in charge and candidates know that honest criticism of his record will win them votes.
