Scottish Labour faces internal turmoil as leader Anas Sarwar sparks controversy by vowing to remain in power despite a historic Holyrood election defeat, with senior figures accusing him of “bed blocking” and “squatters” behavior.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has ignited fresh controversy by declaring his intention to serve a full five-year term as party leader, despite the party’s worst-ever Holyrood election performance and mounting pressure from within to step aside. The remarks, reported by dailyrecord.co.uk, have deepened divisions within the party, with senior figures accusing Sarwar of “bed blocking” and “squatters” behavior as they demand a clear timetable for his departure.
A Historic Defeat and a Divided Party
The SNP retained power, while Labour’s performance in the UK general election two years earlier—where it beat the SNP—has been cited as a contrast. However, party insiders blame Sarwar’s campaign strategy for the disaster, with one source telling dailyrecord.co.uk: We are ten months from Scotland returning to the ballot box for the local elections, yet nothing has been done to rebuild since May’s disaster.
The fallout has intensified as Sarwar reiterated his plans to lead Labour into the 2031 Holyrood election, a move that would mark ten years in charge of his party. This has drawn sharp criticism from within, with one senior figure accusing him of “bed blocking” and another comparing him to “squatters” refusing to take responsibility. Anas and Jackie are behaving like squatters—refusing to take responsibility while Scottish Labour sleepwalks into a civil war,
the source said, referencing Sarwar’s deputy, Jackie Baillie.
Sarwar’s Defense and the Shadow of Farage
Sarwar has defended his decision, stating in a public statement: That is my intention, I’m hungry for the fight ahead, and I want to help make sure this country never ends up in the hands of Nigel Farage and Reform.
The remark, quoted by dailyrecord.co.uk, underscores his focus on opposing Reform. However, critics argue that his strategy has alienated voters, with one insider noting: The SNP have left Scotland’s public services broken but Scottish Labour can only defeat them if we break out of our Central Belt bubble.
The tension highlights a broader debate about Labour’s direction. While some members support Sarwar’s persistence, others question whether his leadership can revive the party’s prospects. A second source told dailyrecord.co.uk: If Anas stayed on until the next Scottish Parliament election, that would mean he had been leader for a decade, longer than Neil Kinnock. Bed blocking won’t get us anywhere.
Calls for a Leadership Transition
With the SNP’s dominance and Labour’s internal fractures, pressure is mounting for a leadership transition. A review of the party’s Holyrood campaign, set to conclude in September, is expected to address Sarwar’s role. One insider told dailyrecord.co.uk: Once the new Prime Minister takes office, attention really needs to turn to Scottish Labour and what went wrong in the Scottish campaign.
The review has also sparked speculation about potential successors. Michael Marra, a North East MSP, and Paul Sweeney, a Glasgow MSP, are seen as possible candidates. However, internal dynamics complicate the outlook. One source noted: Marra would struggle to win a contest as his views would not chime with party members,
while another added: Jackie Baillie does not want Marra to take over. She is instead believed to be a fan of newly-elected South Scotland MSP Joe Fagan.
SNP MSP Michelle Campbell has also weighed in, criticizing Sarwar and Baillie for masterminding a catastrophic campaign which saw Labour record their worst ever election result.
She accused them of ignoring public and party feedback, stating: Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie show no signs of listening to the verdict of the public or their own party by stepping aside.
What’s Next for Scottish Labour?
The coming months will test Scottish Labour’s ability to recover from its electoral slump. With the UK Labour Party undergoing its own leadership transition, the focus will shift to whether Sarwar can adapt or if the party will push for a fresh start. A key question remains: Can Labour break out of its Central Belt bubble
and reconnect with voters across Scotland?
As the party grapples with these challenges, Sarwar’s insistence on remaining in power risks further fracturing an already divided movement. With the next Holyrood election looming, the pressure on Labour to deliver a decisive turnaround—and to resolve its internal conflicts—will only intensify. The outcome could determine whether the party can challenge the SNP’s dominance or continue its decline.
Sources: bbc.co.uk.
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