Sarwar Maintains Position on Starmer Resignation Demand Following Phone Discussion
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has definitively stated that he did not retreat from his calls for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign during a direct telephone conversation between the two politicians on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Friday, Mr Sarwar provided details of their exchange while maintaining his controversial stance.
The Controversial Call and Its Aftermath
Mr Sarwar revealed that the Thursday phone conversation occurred after his Monday declaration that the Prime Minister should step down in response to the scandal surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador. "It was a perfectly fair and reasonable conversation about how we make sure that we are focused on the election on May 7," Sarwar explained regarding their discussion.
The Scottish Labour leader emphasized that during their talk, he made clear his commitment to seeing a UK Labour Government demonstrate tangible delivery for Scotland. "I made very clear that I want a UK Labour Government demonstrating it's delivering for Scotland," he stated, while also highlighting that the upcoming election campaign would present voters with a choice between himself and First Minister John Swinney.
Standing Firm Despite Cabinet Support for Starmer
Mr Sarwar's Monday call for resignation failed to gain traction, with multiple Cabinet members publicly backing the Prime Minister in the hours following his statement. Despite this unified support for Starmer within the UK government, Sarwar remained resolute. "I didn't step back from what I said, I stand by what I said and what I stated," he affirmed during Friday's press conference.
The Scottish Labour leader described feeling "liberated" after making his controversial demand, asserting that "honesty is strength, not weakness" when questioned about his position following Monday's statement. He contrasted this approach with what he characterized as "dishonesty from this SNP Government time and again."
Nuclear References and Party Unity Claims
In a lighter moment during the press conference, Mr Sarwar joked that he had taken the "nuclear option" twice in the same week - both in calling for the Prime Minister's resignation and in restating his party's support for nuclear energy. Despite the turbulent beginning to the week, Sarwar stressed that Labour in Scotland remains "100% united" as they approach the election.
He also expressed full confidence in Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, who serves as co-chair of the party's campaign in Scotland despite having supported the Prime Minister on Monday. "Douglas Alexander was appointed Secretary of State by Keir Starmer, he was appointed co-chair of the campaign by me," Sarwar noted, adding that he saw "no issue at all" with Alexander's role in the upcoming campaign.
Downing Street's Response
A Downing Street spokesman responded to the developments by telling the Press Association: "As the Prime Minister has said, the whole of the Labour Party wants Anas Sarwar to become first minister and will fight for a Labour government in Scotland." This statement suggests an attempt to present unity despite the public disagreement between the Scottish Labour leader and the UK Prime Minister.
Mr Sarwar concluded his remarks by looking toward the future political landscape, emphasizing his "first loyalty and first priority" to Scotland as he prepares for the election campaign ahead.
