Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar today distanced himself from Labour’s troubles at Westminster by focusing his election campaign on the SNP’s record.
In a speech to Labour loyalists in Edinburgh, he attempted to shift the election campaign away from criticism surrounding Labour at Westminster and a potential leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Speaking in front of a Saltire flag with no Labour logos, Mr Sarwar said 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 declared: “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.”
Responding to media questions, he said it was “fair to say” that the UK government had not got everything right and that Scots were “angry, frustrated and impatient with the pace of change at Westminster.”
He acknowledged the initial decision to scrap winter fuel payments was a significant mistake by the UK government, but said one of its biggest was failing to “shout louder” about its “meaningful achievements”.
He added: “I know the prime minister and the UK Labour government are not popular with the public right now. So, I am not running to be Scotland’s first minister in denial of that truth. I am running to be Scotland’s first minister in defiance of it.”
Mr Sarwar insisted 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.
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 said: “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.”
Commenting on the saltire backcloth, more familiar at SNP events, he said: “This flag belong to everyone in Scotland.”
Mr Swinney and Conservative party leader Russell Findlay also made 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 claimed “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 did not 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 Swinney announced that he has requested a Bank Holiday for 15 June, the day after Scotland’s opening World Cup match, though its value has been questioned by business leaders and has been criticised by Tory leader Mr Findlay who said it was an “election bribe”.
In his address in Edinburgh, Mr Findlay stated that cost of living pressures facing Scots “should and will define” the Holyrood election.
He outlined plans to save hundreds of pounds by ending SNP and Labour “stealth taxes”.
He called for the thresholds at which people start paying income tax, and start paying the higher rate, to rise in line with inflation.
He also recommitted to a cut in the income tax rate – to 19% – to help lower and middle-income households.
He said the measures would save taxpayers up to £718, and he urged John Swinney to adopt them in next week’s budget.
“Voters face a simple choice in a few months’ time,” said Mr Findlay. “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.
He added: “By the end of the next Scottish Parliament, if the SNP and Labour continue to freeze income tax rates as planned, it will cost the average full-time worker £1,800 per year. The Scottish Conservatives would put an end to this. We’d reverse SNP and Labour stealth taxes.”
There is speculation that the SNP will make an adjustment to thresholds in order to avoid more people being dragged into paying higher tax.
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