JOHN Swinney has said he is “very optimistic” about the SNP’s chances in the 2026 Holyrood elections after the first 100 days of a Labour Government.
Speaking after the inaugural Council of the Regions and Nations meeting in Edinburgh on Friday, the First Minister was asked by journalists whether the start of Keir Starmer’s tenure as Prime Minister gave him “optimism”.
“I'm very optimistic that we can perform well in 2026,” he said.
“I'm very, very optimistic about that.”
When asked again whether the first 100 days of Starmer’s government specifically gave him optimism, he added: “Let's just say, I don't think the first 100 days have been plain sailing.
“Let me just put it that way.”
It comes as a new poll found that the Prime Minister’s approval ratings have reached a record low after a damaging first few months have rocked the party despite winning a landslide majority at the election in July.
Of note, Downing Street has struggled to contain a row over senior ministers accepting freebies from companies.
The party have also struggled with the controversy over the decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for all but the poorest pensioners – with Scottish Labour recently blaming the policy for a series of by-election losses.
But Anas Sarwar struck a more optimistic tone himself today, claiming that “change has truly begun” in Scotland 100 days on from Labour's victory in the UK General Election.
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."
Sarwar (below) added: “Just imagine how different the last few months would have been had the Tories remain in charge.
“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.”
But SNP MSP Colette Stevenson, in response, 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.”
