In a pointed attack on the Scottish National Party (SNP), Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has accused the Scottish government of “weakening every institution in Scotland.” Sarwar, speaking to Labour activists at Glasgow University, laid out his party’s plan to revive Labour’s flagging fortunes ahead of the Holyrood elections in May 2025.
Accusations Against SNP Leadership
Sarwar’s speech marked a fresh chapter in the Labour leader’s ongoing efforts to challenge the dominance of the SNP, which has been in power at Holyrood for 17 years. He criticized the party’s failure to address significant issues facing Scotland, such as healthcare delays, economic insecurity, and concerns over the future of young people in the country. He described the current state of Scotland as being “stuck in a rut,” where many Scots were grappling with long waiting times for healthcare and a growing sense of insecurity.
Sarwar’s comments are seen as an effort to reignite Labour’s competitiveness, particularly after polling numbers revealed a significant dip in support. While Labour had been neck and neck with the SNP in summer 2024, their support has since fallen from a high of 37% to just 19% in recent months.
Sarwar’s Vision for Change
Sarwar emphasized that the SNP’s approach—raising taxes and offering handouts—has failed to tackle poverty, with Scottish families facing a mounting cost burden. He promised that a Labour-led government would take a different route, stressing the importance of tackling financial mismanagement and focusing on policies that would actually improve living standards for ordinary Scots.
“The harsh truth is that Scotland 2025 is a nation where the SNP has weakened every institution,” Sarwar said. “Every public service is straining after almost two decades of SNP government control. And Scots are shelling out more of their hard-earned cash to get less.”
He also voiced frustrations with the party’s winter fuel payment policy, the two-child cap, and the lack of compensation for the Waspi women, pointing to these as key areas where the SNP has failed the Scottish people.
SNP Responds
In contrast, John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, defended the SNP’s record and criticized Sarwar’s claims. Swinney, speaking at Edinburgh University, portrayed the SNP as a party with a strong track record, particularly in areas like child poverty eradication, green energy initiatives, and economic growth. He argued that the SNP’s policies aimed to address inequality, which he described as harmful to the country’s health, communities, and economy.
Swinney also faced questions about the stability of the Scottish government’s finances, with minority government status complicating the passage of the 2025 Scottish budget. He acknowledged the challenge of gaining support from both the Scottish Greens and the Liberal Democrats, but emphasized that the SNP was making “sincere efforts” to negotiate an agreement.
Despite this, a source within the Green Party rejected Swinney’s claims of a potential budget collapse, stating that the Greens and SNP were engaged in good-faith talks aimed at securing the necessary votes for the budget’s passage.
Challenges Ahead for Scottish Labour
Sarwar’s efforts to reposition Scottish Labour as the party of change and accountability come amid a politically turbulent period. While his rhetoric has sharpened, he has refrained from criticizing Keir Starmer or the UK Labour leadership directly. Instead, he has adopted a harder stance on welfare and higher taxes for higher earners, echoing the language of the UK government.
The upcoming Holyrood elections will be crucial for both Sarwar and Swinney. With support for Scottish Labour waning and the SNP holding steady, the election promises to be a fierce battle for control of Scotland’s future direction.
