Anas Sarwar

Ambulance turnaround times across Scotland have reached extreme levels, with waits stretching to over 18 hours and critically ill ‘red’ code patients facing delays of up to seven hours. The strain on emergency services reflects wider NHS pressures, which Scottish Labour attributes to prolonged SNP mismanagement. Incoming health secretary Angela Constance is criticised as delays persist and projects like the new Monklands hospital are shelved. Separately, devastating earthquakes in Venezuela have caused massive casualties, prompting an international relief effort supported by both the Scottish and UK governments and public donations.

Scotland’s World Cup run is portrayed as a unifying force, with the national team and the Tartan Army celebrated for their passion, conduct and positive influence at home and abroad. The sporting success is credited with boosting national morale and inspiring future generations. The column also highlights Andy Burnham’s electoral victory as evidence that Reform UK can be defeated through hopeful, pro‑worker politics, urging unity against divisive rhetoric and emphasizing Labour’s momentum.

The scandal involving Peter Murrell is cited as evidence of widespread incompetence and secrecy within the SNP, prompting calls from Anas Sarwar for a formal inquiry to restore public trust and address unanswered questions about party finances, whistleblower treatment, and the role of the Lord Advocate. Sarwar criticises John Swinney for rejecting the need for an inquiry and argues that systemic issues within the SNP affect governance across Scotland. He urges strengthening the Scottish Parliament’s powers to compel transparency and hold ministers accountable.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls for an honest and disciplined reflection on the party’s Holyrood election defeat, acknowledging failure to overcome a national political wave and stressing the need to hold the SNP government to account. He highlights voter frustration, low turnout and declining support across major parties, warning that political disillusionment risks creating space for Reform UK’s divisive politics. Sarwar urges a focus on improving public services, strengthening the NHS and addressing cost-of-living pressures while rebuilding Labour as a strong opposition committed to unity and practical solutions for Scotland.

Argues that the upcoming Holyrood election is an opportunity to end two decades of SNP rule and improve public services, particularly the NHS, schools, and local communities. Positions Scottish Labour as the only viable alternative capable of defeating both the SNP and Reform UK, promising lower childcare costs, better housing, improved healthcare access, and stronger local services. Calls on voters to choose Scottish Labour to deliver change and rebuild Scotland.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar argues that the upcoming Scottish election offers voters a crucial opportunity to reject the SNP’s record on the NHS, housing, education and public services. He pledges to reduce waiting times, reform GP services, support NHS staff, and address ambulance delays. Sarwar criticises the SNP’s handling of energy policy and promises support for renewables, clean nuclear power and job creation. He commits to expanding apprenticeships and improving opportunities for young people, presenting Scottish Labour as the party capable of delivering practical solutions and long-term improvement for Scotland.

Scotland’s Labour leader argues that SNP mismanagement has led to rising taxes, deteriorating public services, and soaring household bills, pledging that a Labour government would reverse planned water bill increases, stabilise council funding, and avoid income tax hikes. Proposed reforms include reducing NHS waiting times, adding teachers and classroom assistants, expanding apprenticeships, and investing in policing, housing and infrastructure. He attributes current energy cost pressures to global instability and promises a £100 million emergency support package if the crisis continues, contrasting this approach with what he describes as inadequate SNP leadership.

Scotland’s upcoming election is framed as a choice between continued SNP governance and change under Scottish Labour. The column argues that youth violence, rising misogyny, and deteriorating public services reflect the SNP’s failures. Anas Sarwar outlines Labour plans including tougher knife‑sale rules, revised sentencing guidelines for young offenders, stronger youth work services, and a new Misogyny Reduction Unit. He criticises SNP leadership and positions Labour as the only party capable of delivering effective governance and renewed public services, urging voters to choose Labour on May 7.

Scotland’s NHS is criticised for outdated technology and poor performance, with John Swinney and the SNP accused of failing to modernise services. Anas Sarwar pledges that a Scottish Labour government would deliver a functional NHS app within a year, modernise equipment, reduce bureaucracy and improve digital patient care. He also confirms his opposition to assisted dying legislation, citing concerns about pressure on vulnerable people, inadequate safeguards and the need for improved palliative care.

Accuses the SNP government of financial mismanagement, wasteful spending and failure to deliver essential public services, arguing that these failings have harmed Scotland’s NHS, schools, justice system and local communities. Criticises John Swinney’s leadership and alleges a culture of entitlement and lack of transparency. Highlights rising youth violence and outlines Scottish Labour’s proposals on policing, education, mental health support and knife-sale restrictions. Presents Labour as offering a better alternative direction for Scotland.

Long‑standing failures surrounding the opening of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital are condemned as the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are accused of secrecy, misleading statements and ignoring safety warnings that preceded fatal infections. John Swinney is urged to release all related communications, correct misleading claims and account for potential destruction of records. The article also calls for single‑sex women’s prisons based on biological sex and criticizes the SNP for focusing on divisive issues rather than addressing pressures on the NHS, education standards and economic challenges.

Scottish voters face a pivotal election offering the chance to replace nearly two decades of SNP rule, with Anas Sarwar positioning Scottish Labour as the force capable of restoring public services and reducing NHS treatment delays. Long cancer waiting times are highlighted as evidence of SNP mismanagement, underscoring Labour’s pledge to expand capacity and cut waits. The campaign aims to mobilize voters with a large-scale outreach effort presenting a clear choice between continued SNP leadership under John Swinney or new leadership under Sarwar. The year is also noted for national optimism surrounding Scotland’s participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Homelessness in Scotland has reached record levels, with 17,000 households and 10,000 children in temporary accommodation and rising rough sleeping. Anas Sarwar condemns the SNP government for failing to act despite declaring a housing emergency and highlights falling housebuilding levels and strained councils. He argues that Labour offers a plan to expand housing, revive unused properties, fund local authorities, and tackle poverty. He also praises Labour’s investment in Grangemouth and other industrial sites as support for Scottish jobs and industry while contrasting this with SNP and Conservative policies.

Scotland’s NHS is described as facing deep, long‑term decline attributed to SNP mismanagement, inadequate workforce planning, and neglected primary and preventive care. A Labour‑commissioned report highlights structural and accountability failures, with Scottish Labour promising major reforms including modernizing board structures, declaring a waiting list emergency, and improving support for NHS staff. The article also criticizes the Scottish Government for slow action on grooming gang abuse, advocating an independent national review to ensure justice and prevent political delay.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar argues that the SNP squandered the chance to rebuild Scotland after the pandemic, accusing its leadership of incompetence, lack of accountability, and failures in key areas such as education, healthcare, and pandemic management. He highlights findings from the UK Covid Inquiry and criticizes John Swinney for refusing to apologize for mistakes. Sarwar presents Labour as the alternative, promising NHS reforms, support for families, and policies to reduce poverty, while also calling for a bold UK budget aligned with Labour values. He ends by celebrating Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup.

Calls for the upcoming UK Budget to scrap the two‑child benefit cap, reduce energy bills and rule out austerity, arguing that these measures are necessary to confront child poverty and improve living standards. Criticizes First Minister John Swinney and the SNP for financial mismanagement and inconsistency, contrasting them with a Labour government portrayed as committed to delivering improvements for Scotland. Emphasizes the need for political change in the upcoming election to secure a fairer and more prosperous direction for the country.

Rising concerns about unsafe e-bike use in Glasgow highlight broader issues of antisocial behaviour and diminished community safety, compounded by cuts to policing attributed to the SNP government. Anas Sarwar calls for stronger enforcement, improved resources for Police Scotland and renewed focus on making communities feel safe, while also reflecting on Zohran Mamdani’s successful progressive campaign in New York as a model of energetic, people-focused politics.

Long NHS waiting times are cited as evidence of severe mismanagement by the SNP government, with cases of patients waiting years for essential treatment. The article argues that nearly two decades of SNP leadership have resulted in persistent failures across the health service, forcing some Scots to turn to private care. Scottish Labour proposes declaring a national waiting times emergency, reducing bureaucracy and initiating structural reforms to restore NHS performance. Additional plans include tackling school violence, supporting nuclear power, revitalising high streets and accelerating clean energy investment through GB Energy. The piece contends that Scotland needs a new direction, contrasting SNP governance with Labour’s proposed reforms and economic strategy.

Criticizes the long‑running SNP government for lacking ambition, failing public services, and mismanaging education, housing and healthcare while highlighting Audit Scotland findings on cuts and unmet commitments. Emphasizes Labour’s budget boost to Scotland and argues Scottish Labour offers a needed change after 18 years of SNP rule. Separately condemns Conservative handling of the pandemic and praises the UK Labour government’s efforts to recover hundreds of millions lost to COVID procurement fraud, including funds tied to Medpro and Michelle Mone.

Labour’s recent period in government is credited with ending austerity, boosting workers’ rights, stabilising the economy and investing heavily in Scottish communities, defence and public services. Anas Sarwar argues that these improvements contrast sharply with worsening conditions in Scotland under the SNP, citing failures in health care, education, justice and housing. He contends that the SNP has neglected key industries and jeopardised economic opportunities, while Labour has stepped in with targeted investments such as funding for a new welding skills centre in Glasgow. He calls for a change in direction at the next election, urging voters to back Scottish Labour to deliver a stronger future for Scotland and contribute to global progressive cooperation.

Nearly 24,000 adults in Scotland are waiting for psychological therapy, with more than 2,000 waiting over a year, reflecting severe pressure on mental health services under the SNP government. Long waits have risen sharply compared to previous years, while wider NHS performance continues to deteriorate, including record waiting lists, missed cancer targets and persistent A&E issues. Anas Sarwar argues that SNP mismanagement threatens the sustainability of the NHS and commits a future Scottish Labour government to reducing waiting times, strengthening mental health services and improving workforce planning. The piece also highlights the Labour deputy leadership contest following Angela Rayner’s departure and addresses concerns from Co-Op staff about crime, with Sarwar promising a tougher approach to anti‑social behaviour.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar argues that SNP governance has damaged the NHS and wider public services, citing long waiting lists, slow GP recruitment and financial pressures on households. He criticizes John Swinney’s leadership, attacks an MSP’s defection to Reform UK as self-serving, and warns against proposed driver charges by Glasgow City Council. Sarwar calls for a new direction under a Scottish Labour government, promising to revive the NHS, support economic growth and restore public services through greater ambition and accountability.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls for a complete overhaul of Scotland’s ferry procurement and governance systems following severe delays, rising costs and frequent cancellations linked to the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa projects. He argues that SNP mismanagement has harmed island communities, undermined tourism and damaged public services. Sarwar proposes streamlined accountability, reduced bureaucracy and greater involvement of local communities in decision‑making. He contrasts these plans with wider issues under SNP leadership, urging voters to back Scottish Labour for a new direction as islands and public services face ongoing challenges.

The UK decision to recognise Palestinian statehood is framed as a historic step toward justice and peace, supported by growing international backing. The article urges an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access, and the release of Israeli hostages, while criticising both Hamas and Benjamin Netanyahu for obstructing peace. It emphasises equal value for Israeli and Palestinian lives and calls for renewed commitment to a two-state solution. The column also comments on Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland, highlighting his affinity for the country and the economic and cultural strength of Brand Scotland, and ends by promoting Scotland’s role in global AI and technological innovation.