Janice R. Andrews
Labour’s Anas Sarwar: Scottish Revival ‘Only Half-Written,’ Focus on Holyrood Victory
Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, emphasized that despite Labour’s UK general election victory, the party’s resurgence in Scotland remains “only half-written.” Speaking at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, Sarwar called for the party to secure victory in the 2026 Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) election, which would mark the first time Labour has held power in Scotland since 2007.
Addressing delegates, Sarwar acknowledged Labour’s significant gains in the July general election, where the party won 37 Scottish seats after holding just one previously. However, he made it clear that true success for Scottish Labour would come with a Holyrood victory, securing “fresh leadership and new ideas” for Scotland.
“The revival of Labour is only half-written,” Sarwar declared. “At the general election, we got rid of one incompetent government, and in 2026, we will finish the job by getting rid of the other.”
Austerity Criticism and Pledges for Change
Sarwar took aim at the SNP, blaming them for nearly two decades of what he called “failure” and “division.” He promised that Labour would not return to the austerity measures that have defined past political strategies in the UK. He specifically addressed the recent controversial policy proposal to scrap winter fuel payments for all pensioners, vowing that under Labour, the country would not revisit harsh economic cuts.
Sarwar also noted that Scottish Labour is committed to building a “decade of national renewal,” with Scotland as a “world leader in green technology.” He pledged significant improvements in the National Health Service (NHS), proposing to shift decision-making power from managers to doctors and nurses to improve service delivery and care. “The country is ready for change,” Sarwar declared, positioning Labour as the “party of change and hope.”
Holyrood Election and Policy Differences
Scottish Labour is setting its sights on the 2026 Holyrood election, aiming to oust the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP), which has been in power since 2007. Currently, Labour holds only 22 seats in the 129-member Scottish Parliament, with both the SNP and the Conservatives ahead. Yet, Sarwar insisted that Labour is capable of winning, painting the SNP as an “incompetent” and “failing” government.
The party’s emphasis on economic policies, such as increasing green investments and reforms to the NHS, contrasts with the SNP’s legacy of governance. Scottish Labour believes these fresh initiatives can differentiate them in the eyes of voters tired of the SNP’s dominance.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray echoed Sarwar’s call for change, emphasizing that the party could “take nothing for granted” when it comes to winning votes in 2026. Murray vowed to focus on policies that would lift people out of poverty and guarantee jobs through industrial growth, particularly in the green energy sector.
Conservative Criticism and Football Controversy
Sarwar’s and Murray’s weekend attendance at a Liverpool football match as guests of Salmon Scotland, an industry body, sparked some controversy. The visit came amid growing scrutiny of gifts and perks received by political figures, including party leader Sir Keir Starmer. A Labour spokesperson clarified that the match attendance would be registered in line with political rules, but the timing attracted criticism given the party’s emphasis on addressing public concerns.
The Scottish Conservatives were quick to criticize Labour’s policies, claiming that the differences between Scottish Labour and the SNP were negligible. Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party, argued that both parties support similar policies, including tax hikes and environmental regulations. “You can barely stick a cigarette paper between Labour and the SNP on a host of issues,” said Hoy, particularly calling out the Labour Party’s stance on the North Sea oil and gas sector.
Despite these criticisms, Labour remains optimistic about its prospects in Scotland. With two years until the Holyrood election, Sarwar insists that Labour is positioned to bring about real change, aiming to “turn the page on division and decline” in Scottish politics.
The 2026 election will be pivotal in determining whether Sarwar’s vision for Scotland resonates with voters and if Labour can finally reclaim its lost ground in Holyrood.
