A Scottish Labour MP has called on Anas Sarwar to resign after the party recorded its worst result in the history of devolution at the Holyrood election. Brian Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, said Sarwar and deputy Jackie Baillie should avoid 'dilly-dallying' and step down immediately.
Labour slumped to 17 MSPs amid claims that Prime Minister Keir Starmer's unpopularity had hurt the party on the doorsteps. Despite the defeat, Sarwar has insisted he will 'absolutely' stay on, telling the BBC Sunday Show that his responsibility is to hold the party together and hold the new SNP government to account.
Leishman, a left-winger, told the Daily Record that both the UK and Scottish Labour leadership should go. 'The campaign was unsuccessful and we yet again returned fewer MSPs. Nothing in the manifesto offered radical change,' he said. 'There's got to be a change of leadership and in policy.'
Up to a dozen senior Scottish Labour figures have told the Record they want a leadership contest soon. Potential contenders include MSPs Michael Marra and Paul Sweeney, while Leishman himself and Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy MP Melanie Ward have been mentioned as possible candidates.
SNP MSP Jack Middleton said: 'Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie started this campaign saying they were going to be First Minister and Deputy First Minister. They've ended it being hounded from office by Brian Leishman. Labour can tear themselves apart - the SNP is getting on with the job of delivering for Scotland.'
