Yesterday’s non-binding vote calling on the UK Government to reverse its decision to means test the winter fuel allowance was another opportunity for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to demonstrate his party’s ability to operate independently of UK Labour.
Instead, he used his time to defend the Chancellor’s planned cuts.
He offered up an amendment removing John Swinney’s call for a U-turn, between pointing the finger at Conservatives and pushing the SNP to reinstate the scrapped fuel insecurity fund.
Not only did the parliament deny him, but two Labour MSPs revolted against their party’s stance, siding with the First Minister’s motion urging the U-turn.
Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar was caught off-guard when two of his MSPs rebelledPA
The non-binding motion was passed by 99 to 14, all except Labour voting in support.
Two Scottish Labour MSPs may not seem like a significant rebellion, but their resolve to vote conscientiously instead of towing a party line is symptomatic of the wider Labour affliction.
Labour has been criticised for being overly negative in their first quarter, with their own MPs growing increasingly frustrated that realism has all but wiped out the aspirational highs of the election campaign.
As Keir Starmer approaches his 100th day in office, it’s hard to reconcile this is the same party that went from one Scottish MP to 37 in July after an exceptional general election result.
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Three months after Labour painted Scotland red, much of their gains are now forfeit after the public has had to prepare for a crippling tax burden, while discovering the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet accepted tens of thousands of pounds in gifts.
After years of SNP climb downs, scandals and a monumental embezzlement court case waiting in the wings, Labour’s general election success and the promise of “Change” was enough to make anyone believe that the 2026 Scottish Election was within their grasp.
If Anas Sarwar can’t find a way to deviate from the current UK Labour doctrine, he’ll soon find himself campaigning for election in Scotland where the only worthwhile “change” is whatever can be scrounged up to feed the meter.