Anas Sarwar Quits Scottish Labour to Join Burnham’s Cabinet as Business Minister

Anas Sarwar, who has led Scottish Labour since 2021, is stepping down to become a business minister in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government. Sarwar will be elevated to the House of Lords, ending his time as a Glasgow MSP. The move marks a sharp reversal from his May pledge that he would never accept a peerage and would focus solely on becoming First Minister of Scotland.

From Starmer critic to Burnham ally

Sarwar was among the first Labour figures to call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign in February over the Peter Mandelson row. When Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday, Sarwar attended his first speech as party leader in London. Burnham has now appointed him as a business minister, making Sarwar the first Labour figure who publicly demanded Starmer’s removal to gain a senior cabinet role under the new leadership.

Peerage reversal after Scottish Labour’s worst result

In May, when asked if he would accept a House of Lords seat, Sarwar said firmly: “No. I’m focused on being First Minister of this great country.” Scottish Labour won just 17 of 129 seats in the May Scottish Parliament elections, the party’s worst ever result. Sarwar is now set to be given a peerage in an announcement expected as soon as Tuesday evening, according to reports.

Dual mandate ban forces Holyrood exit

New rules prevent politicians from holding seats at both Westminster and Holyrood simultaneously. Sarwar was re-elected as a Glasgow regional MSP in May but cannot keep that seat while taking up a House of Lords position. His resignation will trigger no by-election, as he was elected via the regional list. Left-wing candidate Monica Lennon, whom Sarwar defeated in the previous Scottish Labour leadership election, will automatically become an MSP on the Glasgow list.

SNP attacks as leadership vacuum opens

SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said awarding a peerage to Sarwar sends the message that Labour are “literally lording it over the people of Scotland.” He called it “the most undemocratic trick in the Westminster book” after Burnham pledged a new politics and devolved power. Sarwar’s departure creates a leadership vacancy in Scottish Labour, with the party facing questions about its direction after May’s electoral collapse.

Final Thoughts

Sarwar’s shift from Starmer critic to Burnham minister signals the new Prime Minister is rewarding loyalty over past party divisions. His acceptance of a peerage after explicitly rejecting one three months ago underscores how sharply Scottish Labour’s fortunes have shifted.

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