Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s recent call for Keir Starmer to resign has sent ripples through the party, igniting discussions about potential leadership challenges. While Sarwar’s allies defend his timing and intent, the fallout raises questions about the party’s direction ahead of the imminent Holyrood elections.
Timing Under Scrutiny
In a dramatic intervention on Monday, Sarwar publicly urged Starmer to step down, a move that caught many within the party off guard. Sources close to Scottish Labour suggest that while Sarwar’s stance may have shocked Westminster, it also raised alarms among Labour MSPs, who worry his timing may have been ill-advised. Observers noted that there appeared to be no immediate contenders ready to challenge Starmer, with Downing Street swiftly rallying cabinet ministers to show solidarity with the Prime Minister.
One senior figure from Holyrood described Sarwar’s strategy as high-risk, stating, “You’ve got to succeed. It didn’t.” Concerns are mounting about Sarwar’s isolation, particularly as recent polls reveal Labour trailing behind the Scottish National Party and Reform UK, with just twelve weeks until the critical May elections.
The Underlying Tension
Despite the immediate backlash, Sarwar’s allies argue that the leadership challenge is still plausible. They contend that growing dissatisfaction with Starmer, particularly in light of recent controversies such as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and issues surrounding the compensation for the “Waspi women,” could fuel a revolt. “There are people in the cabinet and Westminster who want to run,” one insider disclosed, hinting at a brewing discontent that has been palpable for weeks.
Sarwar’s camp expressed frustration at the notion that some of Starmer’s would-be challengers were content to wait for Labour’s electoral defeats before making their move. “We’re not going to be a sacrificial lamb because people haven’t got the gumption to say to Keir you’ve got to go now,” they insisted.
Challenges Ahead for Scottish Labour
The implications of Sarwar’s intervention extend beyond immediate party dynamics. Voters on the ground are increasingly voicing their concerns about a range of pressing issues, from the rising cost of living to perceived failings in policy areas such as disability benefits. These issues overshadow Scottish Labour’s successes in challenging the SNP, particularly in relation to the Glasgow hospital scandal.
Sarwar’s bold stance reflects a growing impatience within the party, as many feel the need to address these concerns head-on rather than allowing them to fester. “We’re just saying what everyone is saying quietly out loud, because we don’t have time to waste,” a senior source remarked, highlighting the urgency felt by the Scottish Labour leadership.
A Call for Unity
In response to the escalating tensions, Douglas Alexander, the Scottish Secretary and a member of Starmer’s cabinet, attempted to frame the situation as a typical internal party dispute rather than a full-blown crisis. Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, he likened the rift to the historic tensions between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, asserting that both Sarwar and Starmer are committed to working together for the party’s future.
“Keir Starmer was on the phone to me yesterday evening making very clear he remains determined that Anas Sarwar is the first minister of Scotland after May,” Alexander stated, attempting to downplay the discord and reinforce a narrative of unity.
Why it Matters
Sarwar’s call for Starmer’s resignation, while controversial, underscores a growing urgency within the Labour Party as it grapples with its identity and electoral viability in Scotland. With the Holyrood elections looming, the party must navigate internal tensions while addressing the pressing issues facing voters. As the political landscape shifts, the next few weeks could prove pivotal in determining not only the leadership of Labour but also its prospects for regaining ground in Scotland.
