Anas Sarwar used a speech to tell Scots they faced a “stark choice” between Labour and the SNP at next year’s Holyrood election.
13:37, 07 May 2025Updated 14:57, 07 May 2025
Reform won a series of local election victories across England last week(Image: Getty Images)
John Swinney is “recklessly” talking up Nigel Farage’s electoral prospects to deflect attention from the SNP’s record in Government, Anas Sarwar has claimed.
The Scottish Labour leader used a speech in Glasgow today to mark one year until the next Holyrood election to warn Scots faced a “stark choice”.
Sarwar insisted voters had to decide whether to allow the SNP a third decade in power in Edinburgh or support a “change in direction” under his party.
Scottish Labour currently trails the Nationalists in polls with many Scots distinctly unimpressed with the performance Keir Starmer’s Government at Westminster so far.
And a survey out today by True North Advisors suggested Reform UK could even leapfrog Labour into second place at the 2026 election.
But Sarwar said the Holyrood poll should be about who could deliver the reforms necessary to revive Scotland’s struggling public services.
And he took aim at the SNP leader over his recent habit of warning about the rise of Reform UK and the prospect of Farage becoming the next Prime Minister.
The Labour leader said: “You already know what John Swinney wants to make this election about. He wants to make it all about the new bogeyman, Nigel Farage – and use that chancer as an excuse to talk about everything but the SNP’s record in Government.
READ MORE: John Swinney says Labour has let Scotland down since the general electionREAD MORE: John Swinney refuses to mark NHS Scotland out of 10 but admits ‘access’ to care is an issue
“And with his record of failure, it’s no wonder. He’s the one who broke our NHS, so it’s no wonder he doesn’t want to talk about our health service. He’s the man who oversaw our falling standards in our schools.
“Instead of talking about his own failures, John Swinney will recklessly talk up Farage. Nigel Farage is John Swinney’s newcomer to replace the Tories.
“The truth is, I don’t care about Nigel Farage, and Nigel Farage doesn’t care about Scotland. This election is a straight choice – John Swinney or me.”
Anas Sarwar said Scots faced a ‘stark choice’ at next year’s Holyrood election
“In one year’s time Scotland faces a stark choice. The 2026 election is about whether we continue to have a government that serves itself with the SNP, or a government in service of the people of Scotland with Labour.
“In one year’s time, Scotland is going to have to make a choice. Do we carry on with a third decade of the SNP in charge, or do we change direction?
“Do we view our Scottish Parliament, our Scottish Government, as the SNP do, as a vehicle for protest? Or do we view it, as I do, as a vehicle to change people’s lives?
“The Scottish Government has immense power to change lives. From the running of our NHS, our education system, our justice and policing, housing, social security, and our public transport system.
“The Scottish Government can, if it has the will, use its power to transform lives and communities for the better.”
Asked by the Record if it was time for Scottish Labour to distance itself from the UK Government, Sarwar said: “The choice next is whether we change the Scottish Government.
“The choice next year is whether we have a third decade of the SNP or a new direction with Scottish Labour.
“Of course, where there is differences we will say so, but ultimately the choice next year is who continues to be the Scottish Government.
“Just like John Swinney wants to make the election about Nigel Farage, he will also want to make the election about the UK Labour Government.
“Next year, you can’t change the UK Government, but you can change the Scottish Government.”
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