In a bold and unprecedented intervention, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has become the first senior Labour figure to call for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down.
This move marks a significant fracture in the party, driven by frustration over the Prime Minister’s handling of the “Mandelson mess” and a series of leadership blunders that threaten to derail Labour’s Holyrood election campaign.
Why Sarwar Broke Ranks
Sarwar’s loyalty has reached its limit. Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference in Glasgow, he expressed anger over Starmer’s decision to consider Peter Mandelson for the role of UK ambassador to Washington, despite Mandelson’s known links to Jeffrey Epstein.
But the frustration goes deeper than one appointment.
- Poll Position: Just 18 months ago, Sarwar looked like a serious challenger to the SNP’s John Swinney. Today, polls suggest Scottish Labour is trailing significantly.
- Campaign Damage: Many in Scottish Labour believe Starmer’s misjudgments and “about-turns” are wrecking their chances in the upcoming Scottish elections.
- The Gamble: Sarwar felt that doing nothing would lead to inevitable defeat. By taking a stand, he hopes to change the political weather and distance himself from a damaged Prime Minister.
The Risks: A Party Divided
The move has immediately opened up divisions within the party.
- Team Sarwar: Senior MSPs like Jackie Baillie and Monica Lennon are backing his call.
- Team Starmer: Conversely, Scottish MPs, including Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander and Ian Murray, are rallying behind the Prime Minister.
If Starmer survives this crisis, the rift between London and Edinburgh could become unworkable. How does a First Minister Sarwar do business with a Prime Minister he publicly asked to quit? Furthermore, this public infighting risks distracting voters from key devolved issues like the NHS, education, and housing.
The Potential Payoff
However, the gamble could pay off.
- Independence: Sarwar has signaled loud and clear that he is his own man, not just a “branch office manager” for UK Labour.
- Killing the SNP Line: The SNP has been urging voters to back them to “get rid of Starmer.” If Starmer goes, that slogan becomes useless.
- Public Credit: If the pressure mounts and Starmer is forced out—perhaps following the upcoming by-election in Gorton and Denton—Sarwar will be credited for having the courage to speak out first.
Conclusion
Whether this leads to a resignation or a civil war, one thing is certain: Anas Sarwar has pushed all his chips into the center of the table. He risks trashing the Labour brand he campaigns under, but he may also have saved his own political skin by proving he puts Scotland before party loyalty.
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