Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is expected to step down from his leadership position and leave the Scottish Parliament after being lined up for a ministerial role in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new government.
The move would see Sarwar take a seat in the House of Lords, allowing him to serve in Burnham’s administration. Reports suggest he is being considered for the position of Business Minister, although an official appointment is yet to be confirmed.
If confirmed, Sarwar’s departure would create a leadership vacancy within the Scottish Labour Party just months after the party recorded a disappointing performance in the May Scottish Parliament elections, where it secured only 17 of the 129 seats.
Despite previously insisting he intended to remain Scottish Labour leader and continue serving throughout the current parliamentary term, the expected appointment signals a significant shift in his political career.
Earlier this year, Sarwar attracted national attention after publicly calling on former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign, a move that sparked intense debate within the Labour Party. Following Starmer’s resignation in June, Sarwar maintained that his focus remained on leading Scottish Labour and representing his constituents in Glasgow.
In previous interviews, he also ruled out joining the House of Lords, stating that his ambition was to become First Minister of Scotland. However, recent developments suggest he has accepted a new role at Westminster as part of Burnham’s government.
Because Sarwar was elected to the Scottish Parliament through the regional list system, his departure will not trigger a by-election. However, under current rules, politicians cannot simultaneously serve in both Westminster and Holyrood.
The reported appointment has drawn mixed reactions across the political spectrum. Some Labour figures were said to have been surprised by the decision, while opposition parties criticised the move, arguing it undermines the mandate Sarwar sought from Scottish voters during the recent elections.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) described the development as undemocratic, while Reform UK Scotland accused Sarwar of abandoning the voters who backed him only weeks ago.
Former Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy welcomed the reported appointment, saying it could strengthen Burnham’s government while acknowledging that it would open the door for a new leadership contest within Scottish Labour.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to announce additional ministerial appointments in the coming days as he completes the formation of his new government.
