Anas Sarwar: Back Labour for change and end 20 years of ‘tired SNP’ rule

Anas Sarwar has urged Scots to back his bid to become first minister and end the SNP’s two decades in power.

The Scottish Labour leader said the election in May is a choice between himself and First Minister John Swinney.

Speaking in Glasgow’s east end, he told party members he is the candidate for “change” at Holyrood – echoing Labour’s message during the 2024 general election.

Attacking the SNP’s education record, Mr Sarwar promised to recruit 2,000 specialist teachers to help children who have fallen behind in writing, reading, maths and science.

He would also employ 1,500 new classroom assistants and 300 additional support needs staff, amid a huge increase in the number of children needing extra help.

Mr Sarwar pledged to build 125,000 homes, make rents more affordable and help first-time buyers.

He outlined plans for 9,000 apprenticeships in key Scottish industries, including an apprenticeship guarantee for growing sectors in need of skilled staff.

Mr Sarwar attacked Reform UK, warning Scots not to be “fooled by the Tories in disguise”, but framed the election as a fight between Labour and the SNP.

“After 20 years of SNP Government, Scotland needs change,” he said.

Mr Sarwar told the crowd he will bring Scots together, rather than dividing them – in “stark contrast” to his opponents.

“The SNP will say I am not for Scotland,” he said. “Reform will say I am not Scottish enough. But they misunderstand the mood of the nation. People are fed up of the old politics of division.

“They want a more positive and hopeful government and a more positive and hopeful future for Scotland.”

He attacked Mr Swinney for his record on health, with NHS waiting lists “far too high”, and accused him of “marking down the exam results of working-class children” during the pandemic when he was education secretary – something Mr Sarwar described as “shameful” and “unforgivable”.

The Scottish Labour leader said only he can beat the SNP and warned Scots not to support Reform UK.

He said: “Some may be tempted by Reform. I say to them directly, don’t be fooled by the Tories in disguise – the same team with a different badge.

“Reform can’t win in Scotland and they can’t beat the SNP. All they risk doing is helping a tired SNP desperately cling on to power – stopping change.”

He said Reform UK leader Nigel Farage does not understand or care about Scotland.

Mr Sarwar concluded by saying Scots cannot “afford to miss” the opportunity on May 7 to kick out the SNP, and he pledged to “be a first minister for all of us”.

He said the choice is simple – “a third decade of SNP Government with John Swinney as First Minister or a Scottish Labour government with me as first minister”.