ANAS Sarwar has said he is “not interested” in membership numbers after it was reported Scottish Labour were losing supporters over the decision to cut the Winter Fuel Payment.
Party insiders told the Daily Record that members have quit in anger over the decision they feared could unfairly impact pensioners.
Starmer previously said the “challenging” decision was needed to plug a £22 billion black hole left by the Tories while MP Michael Shanks admitted his constituents were unhappy with the decision.
Following the announcement, the Scottish Government also said it had been left with “no choice” but to end universal fuel payments in Scotland.
An insider told the paper members feel “let down” and speculated many more loyal supporters would leave if there wasn’t a “rethink” on the cut.
Sarwar spoke to the media at the Emirates Arena on Monday after holding a summit with business leaders on the prospect of Glasgow hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Asked about whether he was concerned about his chances of being First Minister amid reports of his party losing members, he said: “Our membership has actually increased since the election but I’m interested in not membership numbers, because parties can all argue about membership numbers.
“It’s well known that a different party other than mine has probably the largest membership number of any political party in the country, but what matters is the number of votes you get not the number of members you have.
“We got the most votes in the election a couple of months ago and that gives us opportunity to deliver change right across the UK and I want us to get the most votes in 2026 so we can deliver change in Scotland.”
On Sunday, UK Government energy minister Shanks – who represents Rutherglen at Westminster – told the BBC there was “no doubt” people who elected him were angry at how Labour had acted.
However, Shanks insisted that Labour had not made a “mistake” in deciding to cut the Winter Fuel Payment, and warned that they would be making further cuts moving forward.
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Before the General Election, all pensioners could expect to receive a payment of between £100 and £300 to help cover fuel bills through the winter. However, soon after coming to power Labour cut the payment back, making it means-tested in a move which charities have warned risks pushing people into poverty.
At Westminster last week, 35 of Scotland’s 37 Labour MPs voted to support the cut, while two abstained.
One Scottish Labour insider told the Record: “Members are angry and feel let down. Rushing to remove the winter heating payment from pensioners who need it is a terrible mistake.
“Without a rethink we could see many more loyal members quitting this winter.”
