Sarwar Expresses Pride in Collaboration with Starmer Amid Resignation
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has stated he is "proud" of his work alongside Sir Keir Starmer following the prime minister's announcement of his intention to resign.
Sarwar was notably the first prominent Labour figure to call for Starmer's resignation, citing in February that "too many mistakes" had been made by the UK government.
Newly elected MP Andy Burnham is currently the leading candidate to succeed the prime minister after his victory in the Makerfield by-election.
In response to Starmer's announcement, Sarwar commended the prime minister while urging Labour to refocus on delivering "the change people need".
The Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) credited Starmer with transforming both the Labour Party and the United Kingdom.
He also emphasized Starmer's integrity and his "determination to do what was best for our country".
"I will always be proud of the work we did together to end 14 years of Tory government, returning 37 Scottish Labour MPs, securing shipbuilding on the Clyde for a generation, ending austerity and lifting half a million children out of poverty.
That is a legacy that no one can take away from him."
Sarwar added:
"The Labour Party must quickly return its focus to the purpose it was elected for – to deliver the change people need."
Prior to the Holyrood election, Sarwar had called for the prime minister to resign, aiming to distance Scottish Labour from the unpopular Westminster administration.
He stated that Starmer's tenure was "not good enough".
Despite this, cabinet ministers rallied in support of Starmer at the time, and Scottish Labour subsequently experienced a disappointing result in the Holyrood election.
Sarwar frequently clashed with Downing Street following Labour's landslide general election victory, including disagreements over winter fuel payments for pensioners, Starmer's remarks regarding Israel, and the two-child benefits cap.
The prime minister confirmed he would remain in office until Labour selects a new leader, which he indicated would occur by the time parliament returns from recess in September.
The leadership appointment could take place sooner if the party unites behind a single candidate, avoiding a contest.
'Broken Promises and Poor Judgement'
First Minister John Swinney stated that Starmer had made the correct decision.
"It was past time for him to face reality and the fact he now has allows some hope that things can change,"
he said.
"However, rather than simply a change of personnel, what is needed is a fundamental change of direction. Labour's time in power has been characterised by broken promises, poor judgement and, ultimately, failure."
Swinney added that a "fresh start" was possible for Scotland, "but only with independence".
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay expressed skepticism that Burnham would perform any better as prime minister.
She said: "The problem isn't the person behind the wheel. It is a party that once worked to serve the interests of working people but now serves only the interests of billionaires and their corporate donors."
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay remarked that Starmer would be "remembered as the prime minister of U-turns and broken promises".
