Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said his party should still be considered the main opposition at Holyrood, despite tying with Reform UK on 17 MSPs.
As a growing number of Scottish Labour MPs announce they want the departure of the Prime Minister, Mr Sarwar also said he did not “turn the screws” on anyone to oppose Sir Keir Starmer.
The Scottish Labour leader called for a change in leadership in Number 10 in February.
Speaking to journalists at Holyrood, he said he stood by his earlier position on Sir Keir.
Mr Sarwar said: “I didn’t turn the screws on any of my colleagues back in February and I’m not doing that now.
“Every Scottish Labour MP is of course, like me and our MSPs and our wider party, hurting about the result here last week.
“My job is to hold my party together and make sure we’re an effective opposition.”
Mr Sarwar was also asked if he still considered Labour to be the main opposition in the Scottish Parliament.
To every Scottish Labour candidate, activist and volunteer across Scotland - thank you.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) May 7, 2026
We've run a positive campaign focused on hope, change and the future Scotland deserves.
And to everyone who voted for change - thank you for putting your trust in Scottish Labour.
From… pic.twitter.com/tcDKqAdK9p
Traditionally, the largest opposition group in Holyrood is the first to ask questions at the weekly First Minister’s Questions sessions when the parliament is sitting.
He said: “We are the main opposition in this parliament. Yes, we won the same number of seats as Reform, but we got more votes than Reform.
“And I think there is now, for the other political parties – who have said they want to limit the influence of Reform in the parliament – they now have an opportunity.
“Are they going to back Reform to be the main opposition in this parliament or is it going to be the Scottish Labour party?”
A Reform spokesperson said: “Anas Sarwar can try to spin the result however he likes, but the reality is clear, Reform Scotland won more regional list votes than Labour across Scotland and secured the same number of seats in Parliament.
“The Scottish people sent a message that they are tired of the same old parties and want real opposition to the SNP establishment. Reform achieved this despite Labour throwing huge resources into constituency battles while dismissing voters demanding change.
“Opposition status should not be decided by backroom deals between establishment parties trying to ‘limit the influence’ of a movement backed by hundreds of thousands of Scottish voters. It should reflect where public support is growing and Reform is now the fastest-growing political force in Scotland.
“If Labour wants to be treated as the main opposition, they should earn it at the ballot box instead of asking other parties to block Reform voters from having their voices properly recognised.”
