Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has vowed to show Scots “exactly what change looks like” within the first 100 days of a Labour government, should his party emerge victorious in next week’s Holyrood election. Speaking seven days before polling day on May 7, Sarwar outlined his party’s priorities for the initial period in power, appealing to voters to give him five years to “fix the mess” he claims has been caused by nearly two decades of SNP governance.
Emergency Actions Planned
A Scottish Labour government would declare a waiting times emergency within its first 100 days, with plans to ensure patients are treated wherever capacity exists. If the Gulf conflict persists, Sarwar promised £100 million in emergency support to alleviate cost-of-living pressures, including measures to reduce petrol and diesel prices and assist businesses. Additionally, Labour would transfer £70 million into a new fund for councils to repair potholes, ban mobile phones in classrooms, and end the SNP’s “ideological” ban on new nuclear power stations.
Homelessness and Transport
Labour also plans to create a new ending homelessness unit within the first 100 days to tackle rough-sleeping. A Scottish Treasury would be established to boost government efficiency and cut waste, while collaboration with CalMac and other operators aims to prevent a “summer ferry crisis” affecting Scotland’s islands.
Sarwar stated: “We have all seen the mess John Swinney and the SNP have made over those 20 years. Our NHS is struggling, family budgets are under pressure, our roads are crumbling, and too many people feel our country is stuck. The SNP has had 20 years and Scotland has paid the price.” He added: “My message to voters is simple: you’ve given the SNP 20 years, give me five. Give me five years to fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future for Scotland. And, in our first 100 days, we will show exactly what change looks like.”
SNP Counter-Proposals
SNP leader John Swinney has pledged to “hit the ground running” if re-elected, with proposals including action towards an independence referendum within 100 days, a price cap on essential food items, five new walk-in GP clinics, a £2 bus fare cap in some areas, and up to £10,000 help for first-time home buyers through a first homes fund. SNP candidate George Adam criticised Labour’s plans, saying: “We don’t need this flimsy document to know what a Labour government would be like – we can see it every day that Keir Starmer is in office. The best way to ensure we can deliver is by electing a majority SNP government under the trusted, reliable leadership of John Swinney.”
