Anas Sarwar has resigned as Scottish Labour leader to sit in Prime Minister Andy Burnham's government as a peer, a move that has drawn fierce criticism from rivals who accuse him of hypocrisy. The prime minister has appointed Sarwar as a minister at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Downing Street confirmed on Wednesday.
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay described Sarwar as a 'chancer', noting his previous promises to scrap the House of Lords. 'He has spent years attacking the very institution he is now preparing to join. The hypocrisy is breathtaking,' she said. The SNP also condemned the decision, with MSP George Adam accusing Sarwar of lying to voters about his intentions after he called the Lords 'unacceptable' in 2022.
Within Scottish Labour, the announcement prompted surprise and frustration. One party worker said that if Sarwar intended to resign, he should have made it clear in May after the Holyrood elections, rather than leaving colleagues 'thrown into the lurch'. Sarwar was the first senior Labour figure to call for Keir Starmer's resignation before the general election.
Sarwar's seat as a member of the Scottish Parliament will pass to Monica Lennon, the next candidate on the party list, who is seen as a credible contender for the leadership. Other potential candidates include Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland. The field is limited by the small number of Labour MSPs, though an MP or Lord could technically lead the party.
A source close to Sarwar said the next leader would need to balance a uniquely Scottish offer with being part of a UK-wide party, a 'constant battle'. Another source added that the new leader may need to 'educate' Burnham on the needs of the devolved nations, as his devolution offer has been criticised for falling short in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Burnham is due to visit Scotland on Thursday for his first meeting with the first ministers of Scotland and Wales. Sarwar's appointment could help bridge the perceived gap in understanding between the UK government and the devolved administrations, a party source suggested.
