Underestimate me at your peril, says defiant Sarwar – Daily Business

Defiant Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar today told his critics they underestimate his chances of success in the Scottish elections in May.

Pollsters and other commentators have said last night’s devastating defeat for Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election has made it less likely Mr Sarwar will get the keys to Bute House.

He responded with a robust attack on the SNP and Reform and a list of policies he would introduce, from cutting the number of quangos to a pledge to build 125,000 houses.

“Underestimate me and the people in this room at your peril, because this is an opportunity we will not miss,” he told delegates attending the party’s spring conference in Paisley.

In an attempt to switch the focus away from Westminster politics, he said: “It is about the future of our country. More of the same managed decline with the SNP. Or new energy, new ideas and new leadership for Scotland with Scottish Labour.”

The Prime Minister, however, was the absentee Labour member whose influence over the Holyrood election could not be ignored.

Mr Sarwar insisted before the event that Sir Keir was “never going to attend”, despite him being at every other conference in Scotland.

The Scottish Labour leader has said he wants the election to be about Scottish Labour, Scottish politics and Scotland.

He promised a “housebuilding revolution” backed by a new housing investment bank to oversee the building of 125,000 homes over the next five years.

A housing investment bank would support long term building, offsite construction, and help finance the expansion of mid-market rentals.

Housing Development Trusts with the power to “act entrepreneurially” will deliver homes in every region.

A pledge to resolve the housing emergency was part of his plan to lift people out of poverty,

“In ten weeks, Scotland faces a real choice: a third decade of SNP failure, or a Scottish Labour government that will get Scotland building again,” he said.

His plans also include a “£1 homes scheme” to bring empty and derelict properties back into use, as well as creating a new generation of construction apprenticeships.

“Fixing the housing crisis is how we lift people out of poverty, create jobs, grow the economy, and give more families the chance to own a home,” he told delegates at Paisley Town Hall.

“It is scandalous that in a country like ours there are people sleeping rough on our streets. So a commitment I make again is that I will act to end rough sleeping once and for all.

“That is my ambition for Scotland: homes to live in, jobs to build them, and a country where every child has a place to call home.”

Mr Sarwar made several references to the “failed” SNP while describing Reform UK as “Tories in disguise” who “don’t care about Scotland”.