Anas Sarwar urges Scots to give him five years to ‘fix the mess’

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is urging voters to give him five years in power at Holyrood – insisting he can “fix the mess” of almost 20 years of SNP rule.

He made the plea to Scots as postal votes began to arrive in homes across the country.

Ballots are being sent out ahead of the May 7 Holyrood election, with polls suggesting John Swinney’s SNP is on track for a record fifth consecutive term in power.

But Mr Sarwar insisted that “Scotland needs change after 20 years of SNP government”.

The Scottish Labour leader told voters: “We have all seen the mess John Swinney and the SNP have made over those 20 years.

“Our NHS is struggling, services are stretched, and too many families feel they are paying more and getting less.

“The SNP has had 20 years and Scotland has paid the price.”

He continued: “My message to voters is simple: you’ve given the SNP 20 years, give me five to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland.”

The plea came as he insisted the election is a “straight choice between more SNP failure or change with Scottish Labour”.

Mr Sarwar added: “As postal votes begin to arrive, my message is simple: post your vote for change.

“When your postal vote lands, vote Scottish Labour on both votes and send it back straight away.

“If you want to save our NHS, back working people and end 20 years of SNP failure, vote Scottish Labour on both votes.

“Only Scottish Labour can beat the SNP and deliver the change Scotland needs.”