WELCOME to the new weekly newsletter focusing on the highest Branch Office in the land.
The first free Branch Office Updates newsletter is below for you to have a read of.
I'll be bringing you the week's latest news and gaffes from Scottish Labour, as they attempt to challenge the SNP/Green Government and avoid being disciplined by head honcho Keir Starmer.
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Divided on key issues
Despite much crowing in recent weeks, Labour branch office leader Anas Sarwar has struggled to keep his party in line on key issues.
Case in point: Wednesday’s announcement that the Scottish Government is challenging the block of the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill.
Scottish Labour were split in their reaction to the news, with some welcoming it.
Labour MSP for Central Scotland, Monica Lennon, tweeted in solidarity with the Trans community: “The Scottish Parliament passed the GRR Bill by a two-thirds majority, including support from all parties. It is right that the Scottish Government is challenging the UK Government’s block on the reforms.”
Former Labour branch office leader Richard Leonard also backed the move, saying it “would make life a little easier for one of the most persecuted minorities in society”.
This was contrasted by the party’s equalities spokesperson, Paul O’Kane, who released a very neutral statement that left more questions than answers.
Anas Sarwar previously whipped his MSPs to support the Gender Recognition Reform (GRR) Bill but that came before Keir Starmer signalled that he doesn’t support the legislation.
First Minister Humza Yousaf backed those who supported the challenge, and condemned inaction from Anas Sarwar.
He said: "A reminder the UK Govt have refused to meaningfully engage on the GRR Bill, which Anas Sarwar & most of Scottish Labour voted for. Thankfully there are some in Labour who get it."
Will Sarwar act “in solidarity” or bow down to his Labour overlord?
Split on strategy Keir Starmer said he would “make absolutely zero apologies for being blunt” after receiving heavy criticism over a Labour attack ad campaign.
The party posted the first attack ad last week claiming that Rishi Sunak does not think child sex abusers should go to prison. It also pointed to the Conservative record on offenders avoiding jail.
The second advert featured the same picture of Sunak smiling alongside the words “Do you think an adult convicted of possessing a gun with intent to harm should go to prison? Rishi Sunak doesn’t.”
The ads drew heavy criticism from within Sarwar’s own branch office.
Several Labour MSPs called the ad campaign “ill-judged”, with Monica Lennon (again) calling on the party to apologise amidst a "wheesht for Labour government culture" emerging and Richard Leonard (again) calling for the first ad featuring the Prime Minister to be deleted.
But, “election ready”
Anas Sarwar declared his party as “election ready” after appointing key figures as election co-ordinators.
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie and Ian Murray, the party’s only Scottish MP and shadow Scottish secretary, are taking on the roles ahead of the UK General Election late next year.
Sarwar declared Scottish Labour could win seats from the SNP and help “kick the Tories out” of power at Westminster.
