#scottish-labour

#scottish-labour

Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, said the prime minister's policy failures and missteps had left voters angry, frustrated and impatient, leaving his party clear underdogs before May's election. Asked during a speech in Edinburgh whether he wanted Starmer to campaign in Scotland, Sarwar said: I would say the best thing that Keir Starmer and the UK Labour government can do is be behind their doors and in their departments getting things right and changing our outcomes.

While this has obviously been a very difficult decision - and it is the greatest honour of my life to represent Glasgow - I do not wish for a personal friendship to become a distraction. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve, and I remain committed to returning a Scottish Labour government next year.

It has been a difficult few weeks for Sir Keir Starmer and his government, with speculation about a leadership challenge followed by a chaotic run-up to the Budget, a period of damaging leaks and U-turns. Earlier this week, the Times newspaper said that it had spoken to three Scottish Labour MPs who want to see the prime minister ousted before elections to the Scottish Parliament in May. In anonymous comments, the MPs reportedly said they fear Labour will be "slaughtered" in those elections, in part thanks to the prime minister's unpopularity.

Foysol Choudhury, who has served as an MSP for Lothian since 2021, will sit as an independent while the party carries out an investigation. A Labour spokesperson said the party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures, and any appropriate action is taken, they added. It is understood that Choudhury was administratively suspended after the allegation.

Nigel Farage defended a controversial advert targeting Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar while announcing a councillor defecting to Reform UK ahead of a key byelection.