{"id":889169,"date":"2026-04-12T14:10:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/889169\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T14:10:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T14:10:26","slug":"scottish-politics-today-scottish-labour-launches-holyrood-election-battle-bus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/889169\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottish politics today: Scottish Labour launches Holyrood election battle bus"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day&#8217;s Scottish politics news.<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"dailyrecord\" class=\"PremiumArticleBadge_premium-badge-image__ceBDv\" data-testid=\"premium-byline-dailyrecord\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/assets\/dailyrecord\/images\/premium-byline-dailyrecord.svg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>17:00, 10 Apr 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Anas Sarwar launches his party's battle bus\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776003022_401_0_buslabourjpeg.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Anas Sarwar launches his party's battle bus\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Anas Sarwar launches his party&#8217;s battle bus<\/p>\n<p>Anas Sarwar launches Scottish Labour election battle bus with SNP attack<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Anas Sarwar launches his party's battle bus\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776003023_519_0_buslabourjpeg.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Anas Sarwar launches his party's battle bus\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Anas Sarwar launches his party&#8217;s battle bus<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The SNP\u2019s pledge to give private renters first refusal if their home is put up for sale \u201cwill not fix a broken system\u201d, Scottish Labour leader <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/anas-sarwar-promises-100m-cost-36987824\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Anas Sarwar has said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking as he launched his party\u2019s battle bus in Glasgow ahead of the May election, Sarwar said many renters in Scotland feel they have been \u201cforgotten about\u201d by the <a aria-label=\"SNP Government.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/anas-sarwar-promises-100m-cost-36987824\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">SNP Government.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It came after First Minister John Swinney announced plans to introduce legislation to bring in the change if the <a aria-label=\"SNP secures another term in powerLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/anas-sarwar-promises-100m-cost-36987824\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">SNP secures another term in power<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This would mean if a landlord decides to put a property on the market, tenants would be given a period of first refusal to buy it \u201cat a fair market rate\u201d, Swinney said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said such a move could \u201chelp people to put down roots and to feel secure in their own home\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But Sarwar criticised the idea, claiming it would not fix the problem.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cI think everyone will accept in principle that those who have been long-term tenants should have the right to buy their home, but the reality is it will not fix a broken system that the SNP has broken over the last 20 years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Scots renting their homes should have &#8216;first refusal&#8217; to buy if property up for sale, says SNP<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"First Minister John Swinney \" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/3_01KN1YJ5F0FT53V22TQZ72MMFA.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"First Minister John Swinney \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">First Minister John Swinney <\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Scots who rent their homes should be given &#8220;first refusal&#8221; to buy the property if it goes up for sale, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/john-swinney-did-nothing-after-36983840\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">John Swinney<\/a> has said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The First Minister made the bold election pledge today after years of criticism that the SNP Government has failed to get to grips with <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/snp-fanned-flames-scotlands-housing-36763001\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">the housing emergency<\/a> gripping the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It comes at a time more than <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/housing-emergency-scotland-going-bad-36916018\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">10,000 children are stuck living with their families in temporary accommodation<\/a> due to the severe lack of affordable homes in Scotland&#8217;s biggest cities, while the number of people rough sleeping has soared.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The SNP policy &#8211; if implemented &#8211; would mean if a landlord decides to put a property on the market, tenants would be given a period of first refusal to buy it \u201cat a fair market rate.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking ahead of a campaign visit to Inverness on Friday, the SNP leader said such a move could &#8220;help people to put down roots and to feel secure in their own home&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Read the full story here.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/scots-renting-homes-should-first-36992099\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Read the full story here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Former Reform councillor claims Holyrood candidate slots were ripped up amid &#8216;cronyism&#8217; allegations<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4_Todd-Ferguson.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A former Reform councillor has accused the party of \u201ccronyism\u201d and ripping up the prized rankings for <a aria-label=\"Holyrood election candidatesLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/russell-findlay-losing-holyrood-seat-36990596\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Holyrood election candidates<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Todd Ferguson claimed he was promised third place in West Scotland but was told he had been bumped to fourth at the <a aria-label=\"last minute.Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">last minute.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said others had been treated the same way: \u201cI saw no evidence of the professionalism or leadership expected of a serious <a aria-label=\"political movement.\u201dLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">political movement.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Opinion polls show Reform could secure up to 20 MSPs on May 7th after benefiting from a rise in support across the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The new MSPs would be on the regional Lists whose rankings are determined by Reform UK bosses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Read the full story hereLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/politics\/former-reform-councillor-claims-holyrood-36993349\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Read the full story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day&#8217;s Scottish politics news. 17:00, 10 Apr 2026&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":889170,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8816],"tags":[748,1102,4884,712,18695,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-889169","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-edinburgh","8":"tag-britain","9":"tag-edinburgh","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-scotland","12":"tag-scottish-labour","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116392141813171084","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=889169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/889169\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/889170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=889169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=889169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=889169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}