Labour Unity Behind Sarwar's First Minister Bid Insists Scottish Secretary
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has moved to downplay apparent divisions within the Labour Party following Scottish leader Anas Sarwar's dramatic call for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign. Alexander has insisted that the party remains "completely united" behind Sarwar's bid to become Scotland's next first minister.
Public Support for Prime Minister Following Sarwar's Intervention
The political tension emerged on Monday when Sarwar publicly urged Sir Keir Starmer to step down from his position. This intervention coincided with mounting pressure on the Prime Minister over his controversial decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the United Kingdom's ambassador to the United States.
Almost immediately following Sarwar's statement, Cabinet colleagues including Douglas Alexander rallied to publicly express their support for Sir Keir. Labour Members of the Scottish Parliament have also backed their leader's position in the unfolding situation.
Alexander revealed that Sarwar contacted him shortly before Monday's hastily arranged press conference. The Scottish Secretary stated he had "very clearly" outlined his position afterwards, maintaining his support for the Prime Minister while respecting Sarwar's autonomy as Scottish Labour leader.
Focus on Scottish Leadership and Election Campaign
"I continue to support the Prime Minister along with my colleagues in the UK Cabinet," Alexander explained. "But I respected the decision Anas had made. He's his own man, able to set out the position as he sees it as leader of the Scottish Labour Party. That's what he did on Monday, and he's now focused on taking the fight to the SNP and John Swinney."
Speaking to the Press Association, Alexander acknowledged that disagreements within political parties are not unprecedented, but emphasized the shared goal of supporting Sarwar's first minister ambitions. He revealed having spoken with Sir Keir on Monday evening, noting that the Prime Minister remained determined to see Sarwar become first minister despite the day's events.
"On that we are completely united," Alexander asserted, adding that Sir Keir remains "focused on the job in hand" and made clear during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting that his priority was advancing the government's agenda for change.
Election Campaign and Future Direction
Alexander confirmed he will continue serving as co-chair of Scottish Labour's election campaign for May's Holyrood ballot, working alongside Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie at Sarwar's request to secure victory. He dismissed suggestions that leadership questions in London would dominate the campaign, instead emphasizing a focus on leadership in Edinburgh.
"We are going to be laser-like focused on making the case that we deserve better than what we are witnessing from the SNP right now," Alexander declared. "Frankly, if they knew how to solve Scotland's problems they would have done it in the first eighteen years they have been in power. We deserve better than more of the same with John Swinney. We deserve a new direction with Scottish Labour."
Economic Development Announcement
Alexander made his comments during a visit to the Navantia shipyard in Methil, Fife, marking one year since the Spanish-state owned shipbuilders acquired the facility. The yard has secured a new contract that will create 120 jobs at the site along with 20 additional apprenticeships.
"Just twelve months ago this yard was in real difficulty," Alexander noted. "As a UK Government we stepped in to secure the future of the yard and of the workforce. I am delighted that twelve months on this yard has won a new contract that will mean 120 new jobs here at the yard and 20 new apprentices here in Fife. I think that is good news and evidence of where the Government stepped in, the management and workforce have now taken it forward in a really positive way."
