Key facts
- Anas Sarwar has resigned as leader of Scottish Labour.
- He is expected to join Andy Burnham's new government.
- Rivals have criticized Sarwar's move, calling him a "chancer" and accusing him of lying to voters.
- Sarwar is anticipated to be made a peer and appointed to a ministerial position.
- His resignation means his seat as a Member of the Scottish Parliament will be relinquished.
Scottish Labour's rivals have strongly criticized Anas Sarwar's decision to resign as leader and join Prime Minister Andy Burnham's new government, with some labeling him a "chancer" and accusing him of deception. Sarwar is expected to be granted a peerage and a ministerial role within the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.
Scottish Green party co-leader Gillian Mackay decried Sarwar's move as hypocritical, noting his past opposition to the House of Lords, which he is now set to join. The SNP also called for Sarwar to donate his new salary, accusing him of lying to the Scottish electorate about his intentions.
Despite the shockwaves from his resignation, which occurred less than three months after his election campaign and shortly before Scottish Labour's historically poor results, sources close to Sarwar suggest the move was driven by ambition rather than prior planning. Many within his own party expressed surprise at the timing, feeling it left them in a difficult position for restructuring.
Sarwar's seat as an MSP will be passed to Monica Lennon, who is considered a potential contender for the party leadership. Michael Marra is another name being put forward for the leadership, though the pool of candidates is limited to 17 Labour MSPs. While an MP or Lord could technically lead Scottish Labour, it is customary for the leader to be an MSP.
Sources close to Sarwar indicated that the next leader will face a challenge balancing a distinct Scottish offer with being part of a UK-wide party. There is also a perceived need for the new leader to "educate" Andy Burnham on Scotland's needs, as some Scottish politicians feel Burnham lacks knowledge of or interest in the devolved nations. Sarwar's appointment is seen by some as a potential bridge for this gap.
One source close to Sarwar suggested that the move to Westminster, where he can be in power rather than in opposition in Holyrood, was a logical choice for an ambitious individual seeking to effect change and avoid the prospect of "boredom" in Scotland.