Scottish Labour Leader Asks Prime Minister Starmer to Quit

Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, has asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down. This is a serious call from within his own party. Mr. Sarwar said his main loyalty is to Scotland and that the current problems are not helping the country.
By Newsroom | Politics, United Kingdom |

Heightened Political Pressure on Prime Minister Starmer

The political landscape surrounding Prime Minister Keir Starmer has become increasingly unstable, marked by significant calls for his resignation from within his own party. Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, has publicly demanded that Starmer step down. This action positions Sarwar as the most senior active Labour politician to break ranks, a move that could profoundly affect Starmer's standing and his administration's stability. The development occurs as investors, evidenced by a dip in the FTSE 100, are paying close attention to the political crisis.

Timeline of Events and Key Figures

The pressure on Keir Starmer intensified with a series of events culminating in Anas Sarwar's public call for his resignation.

Scottish Labour leader calls for Starmer to step down - 1

  • Sunday: Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, resigned. His departure was reportedly linked to his advice regarding the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US. This event preceded Sarwar's announcement and is seen as a contributing factor to the broader instability.

  • Monday Afternoon: Anas Sarwar held an unplanned press conference where he formally called for Starmer to quit. This was confirmed by a senior Scottish Labour official who spoke anonymously to Politico. Sarwar stated his primary loyalty is to Scotland and that the situation in Downing Street is not tenable.

  • Monday Evening: Keir Starmer was scheduled to address his MPs at a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting in Westminster, a meeting now occurring under the shadow of Sarwar's demand.

Evidence of the Call for Resignation

Multiple news outlets have reported on Anas Sarwar's statement:

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  • BBC News reported on Monday that Sarwar was expected to call for Starmer's resignation, highlighting his growing frustration and the potential impact on Scottish Labour's standing in upcoming elections. A later report from the BBC, published around 2:39 PM GMT, confirmed Sarwar's statement, emphasizing the need to end the "distraction" and focus on the upcoming Holyrood elections.

  • Politico confirmed via a senior Scottish Labour official that Sarwar would call for Starmer's resignation at a press conference scheduled for 2:30 PM.

  • The Standard reported that Sarwar made the call at an emergency news conference in Glasgow.

  • The Guardian cited Sarwar stating his reasons were "failures" in Downing Street that impact Scotland, and reiterated his primary loyalty is to Scotland.

  • Sky News understood that Sarwar would make the call, noting the timing just hours before Starmer's address to his MPs. They also linked the calls for resignation to revelations about Lord Mandelson's past connections.

  • Huffington Post described Sarwar's demand as an "incendiary demand" made at an emergency press conference on Monday afternoon.

Motivations and Calculations Behind the Demand

Anas Sarwar's decision to call for Keir Starmer's resignation appears to be influenced by several factors, including internal party dynamics and the broader political context in Scotland.

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Loyalty to Scotland and Electoral Concerns

Sarwar has explicitly stated his primary loyalty is to Scotland. His public statements suggest a belief that the ongoing political issues surrounding Starmer are detrimental to Scotland's interests and distract from crucial upcoming elections.

"Sarwar says his first loyalty is to Scotland. This has not been easy, he says. But he says his first loyalty is to Scotland." - The Guardian

He has pointed to "failures" in Downing Street and stated that the situation is "not good enough," emphasizing that the focus must be on upcoming elections rather than internal party problems. Scottish Labour is reportedly trailing the Scottish National Party (SNP) significantly in opinion polls for the Holyrood elections, and Sarwar's calculation seems to be that remaining associated with Starmer's leadership could further hinder their prospects.

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"Sarwar swiftly turns the focus on the upcoming Holyrood elections - he says it is an opportunity to get rid of a 'failing' SNP government. 'The election in May is not without consequence for the lives of Scots,' Sarwar continues as he outlines problems with housing, the NHS and the safety of young people." - BBC News

Breaking Ranks and Political Signaling

Sarwar's action is significant because he is a high-profile serving Labour politician. While several backbenchers have called for Starmer's resignation, Sarwar's position as a party leader in a devolved nation carries greater weight.

"He will be the most senior Labour politician to break ranks, and will deal a body blow to the prime minister’s authority as he tries to hold on to power." - Politico

This move could potentially encourage other Labour figures to follow suit, especially in Scotland, where Labour is facing a strong challenge from the SNP. The timing of his announcement, just before Starmer's address to his MPs, suggests a deliberate strategy to maximize its impact.

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Impact and Potential Repercussions

The demand for resignation from Anas Sarwar represents a considerable challenge to Keir Starmer's leadership, particularly as it comes alongside other recent setbacks, such as the resignation of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

  • Authority of Starmer: Sarwar's public call constitutes a "body blow to the prime minister's authority." This public display of dissent from a party leader within Labour could erode confidence in Starmer's ability to lead the party effectively.

  • Electoral Strategy: For Scottish Labour, distancing themselves from Starmer might be a strategic attempt to improve their performance in the upcoming May elections in Scotland. Polls suggest they are in a tough fight, and Sarwar may believe a leadership change is necessary to energize their base and attract undecided voters.

  • Market Reaction: The financial markets have shown sensitivity to the political developments, with the FTSE 100 dipping as investors focused on the crisis.

Conclusion: A Leadership Under Scrutiny

Anas Sarwar's public call for Keir Starmer's resignation marks a critical juncture for the Labour Party. The decision appears rooted in Sarwar's assessment of the political situation in Scotland, his loyalty to the region, and concerns over the impact of ongoing controversies on electoral prospects. This intervention, from the highest-ranking Labour figure to date to demand Starmer's departure, places significant pressure on Starmer's leadership and raises questions about his ability to navigate the party through its current challenges. The coming days will likely reveal the extent of the ripple effects of Sarwar's decision on both national and devolved Labour politics.

Sources

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Note: The Independent article was inaccessible due to login requirements and thus not included in the evidence summary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who asked Prime Minister Starmer to resign?
Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign.
Q: Why did he ask him to resign?
Mr. Sarwar said his first loyalty is to Scotland and that the problems around Mr. Starmer are not good for the country. He also mentioned upcoming elections.
Q: Is this the first time a Labour leader has asked Starmer to resign?
Yes, Anas Sarwar is the most senior Labour politician to publicly ask for Mr. Starmer's resignation.