ANAS Sarwar’s reputation is now “in bits” after his “self-serving decision to cut and run to London”, a trade union leader has said.
GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour said Sarwar’s decision to join the House of Lords was “like most of his time in charge: Predictable, thoughtless, and deeply disappointing”.
Sarwar announced his resignation as Scottish Labour leader last week as he accepted a place in the Lords – despite previously rejecting suggestions he would do so, and repeatedly pledging to abolish the unelected chamber – in order to become a minister in Andy Burnham’s UK Government.
The move, which came after the party’s worst Holyrood election result, has angered some in Scottish Labour.
It means the party is looking for its sixth leader since 2014.
Three MSPs – Michael Marra, Joe Fagan and Monica Lennon – have publicly announced their intention to run for the job.
Katy Clark is also reportedly considering entering the race.
Gilmour, whose union funds Labour, criticised Sarwar for his decision to leave the party for the Lords, something he had previously said he would not do.
She wrote in the Daily Record: “Anas Sarwar’s sudden resignation as the leader of Scottish Labour was, like most of his time in charge: predictable, thoughtless, and deeply disappointing.
“His self-serving decision to cut and run to London, the House of Lords and a walk-on role in Andy Burnham’s Government leaves his reputation in bits and his party in dereliction.”
Gilmour said the politician’s “sharp exit” had “dismayed supporters, cheered opponents, and repelled voters”.
She said a “better leader would have let the dust settle to understand what was left of his decimated and demoralised party before helping it pick a way forward”.
The union leader went on: “That might have meant fresh leadership at some point, but, in the short term, Sarwar could have steered the storm-lashed, broken-masted hulk of Scottish Labour to calm waters for emergency repairs and a proper assessment of the damage done.
“Instead, he abandons ship, grabs a lifebelt and goes over the side, before a review of the party’s hollow and calamitous election campaign – built on his own vibes-based leadership – is even written, never mind understood.”
The trade unionist said Scottish Labour should have “paused” the leadership contest until a review of Sarwar’s “personality and memes” election campaign had taken place.
She urged the party to focus on issues such as jobs rather than the constitution, adding: “That means industrial strategies, underpinned by public procurement and government support, delivering good jobs, fair pay, apprenticeships, training, social cohesion and economic growth.
“It means a properly-resourced, prioritised public sector, where decisions are devolved, social care is properly valued, and interminable talk and taskforces replaced with swift and effective action.”
She said Scottish Labour had to “establish what it is and who it is for”, warning that if it was not a party for “the working man and women of Scotland, their families and their communities, it stands on sand”.
