Anas Sarwar reveals particulars of personal chat with Keir Starmer after demanding PM stop
In a press conference on Friday, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar joked he had taken the “nuclear option” by calling for Keir Starmer to stand down on Monday
Anas Sarwar has said he stood by his calls for Keir Starmer to quit in a conversation with the PM(Image: Getty Images)
Anas Sarwar has said he stood by his calls for Keir Starmer to quit in a conversation with the PM on Thursday.
In a press conference on Friday, the Scottish Labour leader joked he had taken the “nuclear option” by calling for Mr Starmer to stand down on Monday.
Mr Sarwar became the most senior figure to demand the PM’s resignation as the Peter Mandelson scandal threatened to engulf the Government. The bombshell decision from him was a perilous moment for Mr Starmer, but the PM was thrown a lifeline after his Cabinet ministers publicly rallied around him.
READ MORE: Keir Starmer vows ‘I will never walk away’ in first public comments since calls to quit
At an event in Edinburgh on Friday, Mr Sarwar said he had spoken to the Prime Minister the day before, where the pair agreed they were focused on elections in Scotland in May. He said: “It was a perfectly fair and reasonable conversation about how we make sure that we are focused on the election on May 7. He’s determined that he wants to deliver for the people of Scotland.
“I made very clear that I want a UK Labour Government demonstrating it’s delivering for Scotland, and I made clear that the choice in the election campaign is going to be between me and (First Minister) John Swinney.
“I didn’t step back from what I said, I stand by what I said and what I stated, but I’m looking to the future and the choice between me and John Swinney for this country.”
Elsewhere, Mr Sarwar restated his support for nuclear energy in Scotland, adding: “I should say I’m choosing the nuclear option twice this week.”
He added he felt “liberated” after calling for the Prime Minister to quit. “Honesty is strength, not weakness,” he said when asked if he felt stronger in his position after Monday’s statement.
“We have seen dishonesty from this SNP Government time and time again. I feel liberated and energised for the election campaign ahead, because, for me, my first loyalty and my first priority is to my country, Scotland.”
Despite the chaotic start to the week, Mr Sarwar stressed Labour in Scotland is “100% united”. He also backed Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander in his role as co-chair of the party’s campaign north of the border, despite supporting the PM on Monday.
“Douglas Alexander was appointed Secretary of State by Keir Starmer, he was appointed co-chair of the campaign by me, and I see no issue at all in terms of the role he’ll play in that campaign, because every Scottish Labour MP is going to be involved in that campaign to make sure we elect a Scottish Labour government,” Mr Sarwar said.
During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Starmer told his most senior ministers that “the whole of the Labour Party ” wants Mr Sarwar to become first minister and will “fight for a Labour government in Scotland”.
