Sarwar Maintains Pressure on Starmer Despite Private Phone Discussion
The Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has publicly declared that he did not retreat from his demands for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign during a private telephone conversation between the two politicians on Thursday. Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Friday, Mr Sarwar provided details of their discussion while reaffirming his controversial position.
The Nuclear Option and Thursday's Phone Call
Mr Sarwar described his earlier call for Sir Keir's resignation as taking the "nuclear option," revealing that the pair had spoken directly by phone the previous day. This conversation occurred following Mr Sarwar's Monday statement urging the Prime Minister to step down in response to the scandal surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
The attempt to oust Sir Keir ultimately failed, with Cabinet members publicly supporting the Prime Minister shortly after Mr Sarwar's initial declaration. Despite this setback, the Scottish Labour leader remained defiant about his position during Friday's media briefing.
Details of the Prime Minister Conversation
When questioned about Thursday's phone discussion with Sir Keir, Mr Sarwar stated: "It was a perfectly fair and reasonable conversation about how we make sure that we are focused on the election on May 7. He's determined that he wants to deliver for the people of Scotland."
The Scottish Labour leader continued: "I made very clear that I want a UK Labour Government demonstrating it's delivering for Scotland, and I made clear that the choice in the election campaign is going to be between me and (First Minister) John Swinney. I didn't step back from what I said, I stand by what I said and what I stated, but I'm looking to the future and the choice between me and John Swinney for this country."
Liberation and Nuclear Energy Support
During the same event, Mr Sarwar expressed feeling "liberated" after calling for the Prime Minister's resignation. He stated: "Honesty is strength, not weakness," when asked whether he felt more secure in his position following Monday's statement.
The Scottish Labour leader also reiterated his party's support for nuclear energy, humorously noting he had taken the "nuclear option" twice within the same week through both his energy policy stance and his call for Sir Keir's resignation.
Claims of Unity and Campaign Structure
Despite the turbulent beginning to the week, Mr Sarwar emphasised that Labour in Scotland remains "100% united" ahead of the upcoming elections. He specifically endorsed Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander in his role as co-chair of the party's campaign north of the border, despite Mr Alexander having publicly supported the Prime Minister on Monday.
Mr Sarwar explained: "Douglas Alexander was appointed Secretary of State by Keir Starmer, he was appointed co-chair of the campaign by me, and I see no issue at all in terms of the role he'll play in that campaign, because every Scottish Labour MP is going to be involved in that campaign to make sure we elect a Scottish Labour government."
Political Reactions and Counterclaims
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."
However, an SNP spokesman offered a contrasting perspective, describing Mr Sarwar as "all bark and no bite" and claiming: "He's been patted on the head and put back in his box by his boss Keir Starmer. Branch office manager Anas Sarwar marched into his big press conference on Monday thinking he was Brutus, he ends the week looking more like Mr Bean."
The SNP representative further criticised: "People don't forget that Anas Sarwar was the man who promised us that Keir Starmer was the right man to deliver 'change' - instead all the Labour Party have delivered is chaos. Why would anyone in Scotland trust the word or the judgment of Anas Sarwar ever again? Instead, it's Scotland's people who are patiently waiting to deliver their judgment on the Labour Party's broken promises come the Holyrood election in May."
Scottish Tory deputy leader Rachael Hamilton also weighed in, accusing Mr Sarwar of self-indulgence and stating: "His scandal-ridden party are too distracted by civil war to stand up to an SNP government that has failed Scotland for two decades."
