Amid the turmoil of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's fight for his political life, a moment of harmony emerged within the Baker household. When Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for Sir Keir to step down in February, MSP Claire Baker backed him, while her husband Richard Baker MP initially took a different stance. However, on Tuesday, Richard Baker publicly agreed with his wife, joining calls for Starmer to resign.
The Prime Minister's defiance, despite a band of loyalists defending him, saw resignations escalate from junior ranks to high-profile figures like Jess Phillips. Among Scottish Labour, many believe that had Starmer resigned earlier, their party would not now be tied for second place with Reform UK in the Scottish Parliament.
Starmer's Role in Scottish Labour's Decline
Sir Keir Starmer shoulders much responsibility for the party's Scottish result. After a triumphant 2024 general election where Labour defeated SNP incumbents across Scotland, a series of unpopular decisions quickly eroded support. Starmer's political honeymoon was brief, and his leadership has been a liability for Scottish Labour.
However, Anas Sarwar is not blameless. When he succeeded Richard Leonard in 2021, expectations were low, and he initially revived the party's fortunes. But his decision to whip MSPs to back the SNP's self-ID legislation proved disastrous, alienating many voters and damaging his political judgment. By the time he reversed his stance, much of the support he had built was lost.
The 2026 Holyrood Election
Sarwar entered the 2026 Holyrood election hampered by an unpopular Prime Minister and a drab manifesto. The result was a poor showing, and talk now centres on when, not if, Sarwar steps down. While Starmer hurt Scottish Labour's chances, Sarwar shares responsibility for the party's woeful result.
If Sarwar holds himself to the same standards he holds others, he will resign. The question remains whether Claire and Richard Baker would agree.
