GMB Scotland Secretary Louise Gilmour has accused Anas Sarwar of making a "thoughtless" and "self-serving" decision to resign as Scottish Labour leader, leaving his reputation "in bits" and the party in "dereliction".
In a blistering statement, 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." She added: "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."
She further criticised his timing: "His sharp exit, weeks after steering Scottish Labour to its worst ever Holyrood election result, dismayed supporters, cheered opponents, and repelled voters."
Leadership Contest
Sarwar's resignation as Scottish Labour leader comes as he prepares to join the House of Lords and the government of Andy Burnham. The move has triggered a contest for his successor, with contenders including MSPs Michael Marra and Joe Fagan, as well as soon-to-be MSP Monica Lennon.
Gilmour argued that a "better leader" would have waited to "let the dust settle" on the party's defeat. She wrote: "That might have meant fresh leadership at some point but, in the short term, Sarwar could have steered the storm-lashed, broken-masted hulk of Scottish Labour to calm waters for emergency repairs and a proper assessment of the damage done." Instead, she said, "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."
Policy Focus
The GMB Scotland secretary also called for a reorientation of Scottish Labour's priorities, urging the party to concentrate on jobs, work, and public services rather than constitutional issues. She advocated for "industrial strategies, underpinned by public procurement and government support, delivering good jobs, fair pay, apprenticeships, training, social cohesion and economic growth."
She also called for a "properly-resourced, prioritised public sector" and praised the reset under Andy Burnham's government, adding: "It is beyond time Scottish Labour had some answers of its own."
