Scottish Labour’s rivals decry ‘chancer’ Anas Sarwar for resigning to join Andy Burnham’s government | Anas Sarwar

Scottish Labour’s rivals at Holyrood have harshly criticized Anas Sarwar’s decision to resign as leader to take part in Andy Burnham’s new government, describing it as a “fluke” and accusing him of lying to voters.

The Prime Minister made a peer of Sarwar, the first senior Labor figure to call on Keir Starmer to resign, and gave him a ministerial post in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, No 10 was announced on Wednesday.

Scottish Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “Anas Sarwar is an opportunist. He went from promising to purge the House of Lords to taking a seat in it. He has spent years attacking the very institution he is now preparing to join. The hypocrisy is breathtaking.”

The SNP called on Sarwar to donate his new “buffer salary” to charity, accusing him of lying to voters about his intentions after previously saying he would never enter the House of Lords and saying this was “unacceptable” in 2022.

SNP MSP George Adam said: “Labour and Anas Sarwar have repeatedly denied and lied to the people of Scotland about Anas Sarwar’s intentions; the fact that he will now dance in an ermine robe will not be forgotten.”

But even though the move comes less than three months into the election campaign – shortly before Scottish Labor suffered its worst results in Holyrood history – those who know Sarwar do not think it was planned.

Figures from his own party left some Scottish Labor politicians and staffers stunned on Wednesday, with the word “surprised” on their lips.

A Scottish Labor worker said: “If he were to resign, it would have been clearer that he had said so in May and given everyone the chance to make a proper assessment and restructure things as necessary. To do it that way would leave everyone in the lurch.”

Like a formality in some constituencies, Sarwar’s seat in the Scottish parliament will be relinquished and handed over to the next member on the list, Monica Lennon. Lennon, who has been a popular MSP in the past, is also seen as a credible candidate for the party leadership.

Michael Marra, MSP for North East Scotland, is a name that has also been floated as a potential leadership candidate from outside the power centers of Edinburgh or Glasgow.

There won’t be a wide field as there are only 17 Labor MSPs to choose from. It is possible for an MP or even a Lord to assume the leadership of the Scottish Labor Party – meaning Sarwar does not technically need to resign as leader – but it is most common for this role to be taken on by an MSP due to their duties in the Scottish parliament.

A source close to Sarwar said: “The next [Scottish] The Labor leader will need [provide] The balance between offering what is uniquely Scottish and being part of a UK-wide party. “It’s been a constant conflict, a constant war.”

Another said the next leader “will need to educate Andy Burnham a bit… He’s the king of the north but the prime minister of the UK.”

There has been criticism from Scotland that Burnham’s offer to devolve the north of England and the wider country outside London and the south-east falls short as far as devolved nations are concerned.

Scottish politicians of all stripes complained that Burnham had no knowledge of or interest in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sarwar’s appointment could help fill this gap, a source said.

While Sarwar’s perception of leaving Scotland behind shocked many, a Labor source close to Sarwar said it would be prudent for Sarwar to choose Westminster, given the choice between being in power at Westminster or in opposition at Holyrood.

“I’m perhaps less surprised than people in the Labor world because he’s a very ambitious guy. He’s someone who wants to create change politically. He’s obviously not in power, and he was facing the prospect of hanging around for another five years until the next Holyrood election. I think we’d be bored if he stayed, and he’s not someone who wants to sit around and be bored.”

Sarwar said: “I am delighted and honored to be approached by the Prime Minister to serve as secretary of state for trade across the UK.

“I have been motivated only by public service throughout my life. All I wanted was the opportunity to serve our country. So I humbly accept this opportunity.”

“Looking back on the last five years, I am immensely proud of the work we have done since I became leader of the Scottish Labor Party.”

Scottish Labor deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “I would like to thank Anas Sarwar for his leadership and friendship. He has led Scottish Labor with integrity and a vision to build a fairer and more equal Scotland.”