Anas Sarwar's decision to quit as Scottish Labour leader to join the Andy Burnham government is shocking and unsurprising, according to Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon, who broke the story.
Getting gubbed at the Holyrood election - his party's worst ever Holyrood election result - meant he was a dead man walking.
Allies' expectations and abrupt departure
Allies believed he would stay around to steer a post-mortem to his favoured conclusion - that Keir Starmer was to blame for the defeat. They believe he would go to the Lords and serve the Burnham administration, but either later this year or early 2027.
His abrupt departure, exclusively revealed by the Record, has angered Scottish Labour figures. A Scottish Labour MP said it was a "f****** awful look" for Sarwar to join an unelected chamber. Another insider said abandoning Holyrood for the Lords would make him a “laughing stock”.
What happens next
When he quits as a Glasgow MSP, he will create a vacancy. Ironically, his one-time rival Monica Lennon will become an MSP again after losing her place at Holyrood in May.
Sarwar's departure could see a leadership contest between Lennon, who is on the soft Left, and moderate Michael Marra. Another Glasgow MSP, Paul Sweeney, could also be a contender. Lennon is a Burnham backer who campaigned for the new PM in Makerfield. Marra is also a Burnham fan but he urged him to “shut up” at last year's Labour conference.
Scottish Labour is a party synonymous with chaos, turmoil and backbiting. A looming contest will simply fuel the melodrama.
