Sarwar sidesteps Labour’s Westminster woes – Daily Business

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will today attempt to distance himself from Labour’s troubles at Westminster by focusing his election campaign on the SNP’s record.

Mr Sarwar will insist that he can still win in May despite the polls pointing to a slump in Labour’s support across the UK as voters express anger at broken promises and a failure to improve the economy and public services.

In a speech to Labour loyalists in Edinburgh, he will attempt to steer the election campaign away from criticism surrounding Labour at Westminster and a potential leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Sarwar will say that the election “isn’t about a government elsewhere but about who leads Scotland’s government and what happens here at home – in Scotland’s schools, hospitals, care homes and communities”.

He will declare: “In May, you’re not choosing a Prime Minister – you’re choosing a First Minister.

“And ultimately, there are only two options: another decade of the SNP with John Swinney, or change with me as First Minister.”

However, there has been a backlash against Mr Sarwar himself over his failure to fulfil pledges such as saving the Grangemouth oil refinery and claiming energy bills would come down.

Polls show Labour trailing badly, with most pointing to a third place finish behind the SNP and Reform UK.

An Ipsos poll before Christmas showed the SNP maintaining its lead with 35% of the constituency vote share – although this is significantly weaker than the 47.7% the party achieved at the last Holyrood election in 2021.

Reform UK’s share of the vote has risen, with 18%, up 4 points since June. Scottish Labour’s vote has fallen further, to 16% – down 7 points since June.   The Conservatives were on 11% (+1), the Liberal Democrats 9% (no change), and the Scottish Green Party 9% (no change).

Mr Sarwar will say: “I get that as Scottish Labour we start this year as underdogs. But to John Swinney and anyone else who says we can’t win – whether they be other politicians, journalists, commentators or pollsters – underestimate me, underestimate the people in this room, underestimate thousands across the country at your peril.

“I am not daunted by the challenge – we are up for the fight and we are determined to win.”

Mr Swinney and Conservative party leader Russell Findlay will also make election pledges, with the First Minister pledging that the SNP will use the 2026 election campaign “to build a national movement of hope across Scotland.”

Speaking in Glasgow, he will claim “the increasingly right-wing Westminster system” is making people in Scotland poorer, while he has a vision “for a better Scotland with independence which allows us to rejoin the EU, build an economy that works for everyone and bring down energy bills.”

He is unlikely to explain how his government will bring down energy bills or reveal how he intends to achieve independence that will be required for Scotland to re-enter the EU.

Mr Findlay will state that cost of living pressures facing Scots “should and will define” the Holyrood election.

“Voters face a simple choice in a few months’ time,” he will say. “Either five more years of the SNP and other left-wing parties hitting them with more tax rises, or our positive plan to bring down bills by focusing on growing the economy.

“The Scottish Conservatives will fight for Scotland’s strivers and champion the virtues of lower taxation. Our common-sense approach will help build a stronger Scotland of opportunity for everyone.”