ANAS Sarwar has been branded “deluded” after claiming that “change has truly begun” in Scotland 100 days on from Labour's victory in the UK General Election.
Despite facing considerable criticism over the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment, refusing to scrap the two-child benefit cap, and being embroiled in a scandal over freebies, Sarwar said his party were already acting to improve the lives of Scottish people.
He said: “100 days on from when Scotland voted for change with Labour, it is clear for all to see that change has truly begun.
“From setting up GB energy to introducing our New Deal for Working people, this Labour government is acting now to improve lives for Scots after 14 years of Tory failure.
“We knew the task before us would not be easy, but Keir Starmer has shown leadership and principle by delivering on our promises and facing down far-right riots.
“Just imagine how different the last few months would have been had the Tories remain in charge.
“Watching the Tory leadership race shows us how important it was that we booted those cranks out of power.
“While some would like to make excuses for the Tories and blame a 3 month-old Labour government for the results of Tory and SNP failure, Labour is completely focused on Scotland’s future.
“That’s why Scottish Labour will work day and night to deliver for the people of Scotland and to ensure Scotland has a fresh start and new direction in 2026.”
A list of the government’s achievements in its first 100 days issued by Scottish Labour included mention of the launch of GB Energy.
However, the chair of GB Energy was unable to answer when or if energy bills would be reduced by the company when facing questions from SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn earlier this week.
Reacting to Sarwar’s comments, SNP MSP Colette Stevenson said the Scottish Labour leader was “deluded”.
"The Labour Party promised the people of Scotland change - no more Westminster chaos, no more undermining devolution, no more cuts to public finances.
"Anas Sarwar himself said "Read my lips. No austerity under Labour". The breathtaking speed with which the Labour government has backtracked on all these promises, in less than 100 days, is incredible.
"Cuts to vital winter heating payments for vulnerable pensioners, thousands of jobs in the North East put at risk, maintaining the poverty-inducing two child cap, chaos and scandal at the heart of Downing Street - Anas Sarwar is deluded if he thinks this is the change Scotland needed.
"Labour have shown that it does not matter who is in power, Westminster is the problem and it doesn't work for Scotland. A brighter, fairer and wealthier future is within reach for Scotland as an independent nation."
It comes after Sarwar faced a grilling from pensioners in Gourock over the Winter Fuel Payment, telling them that “tough choices” had to be made.
