Latest news with #ScottishLabour
STV News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- STV News
Reform ‘can't win' Hamilton and SNP do not deserve to, Sarwar says
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that Reform UK 'can't win' the Hamilton by-election, and the SNP does not deserve to. In an open letter to voters in the Daily Record, the party leader rejected claims that Thursday's vote will come down to the parties led by John Swinney and Nigel Farage, claiming Labour was in a 'two-horse race' with the SNP. The claim was made in a similar letter in the same newspaper this week, in which the First Minister said the race was a 'straight contest' between his party and Reform, accusing Farage of being a 'clear and present danger to our country.' 'Reform's poison won't win here,' the Scottish Labour leader wrote. 'The SNP deserve to lose.' He added: 'Don't believe the spin and the nonsense of John Swinney – this by-election is a two-horse race between Scottish Labour and the SNP.' After the June 5 vote was called following the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie in March, Labour and the SNP were the frontrunners, but Reform's surge in the Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse seats has propelled the party into the mix. Accusing the SNP leader of using Reform as a 'mask for his failure,' Sarwar criticised Farage's party's tactics. A Facebook ad from the party showing a speech given by Sarwar encouraging more people of Pakistani origin to enter politics has been roundly criticised. Sarwar said: 'Throughout this by-election campaign, Reform have tried every dirty trick in the book to drive a wedge to divide this community – but I know you will see right through it. 'They know they can't win – they don't care about beating the SNP, all they care about is getting attention. 'Nigel Farage is a poisonous, pathetic, and toxic little man who doesn't understand this community or our country. 'He and his cronies in Reform have spent thousands of pounds spreading bile, misinformation and racial slurs. 'Scotland is my home. I was born here.' The Scottish Labour leader also touted his party's candidate Davy Russell, who has himself been criticised for a perceived lack of appearances in the media. Russell, he said, is the only candidate in the race who can 'beat the SNP'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Anas Sarwar - Reform 'can't win' Hamilton by-election and SNP 'don't deserve to'
The war of words is escalating ahead of the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Thursday. Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Reform UK 'can't win' the Hamilton by-election and the SNP do not deserve to, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said. In an open letter to voters published in a newspaper this morning, the party leader rejected claims that Thursday's vote will come down to the parties led by John Swinney and Nigel Farage, claiming Labour was in a 'two-horse race' with the SNP. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Sarwar's comments follow a similar letter this week, where the First Minister said the race was a 'straight contest' between his party and Reform, accusing Mr Farage of being a 'clear and present danger to our country'. Mr Sarwar, in his letter, said: 'Reform's poison won't win here. The SNP deserve to lose.' The letters from both political leaders were published in the Daily Record. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Sarwar said: 'Don't believe the spin and the nonsense of John Swinney – this by-election is a two-horse race between Scottish Labour and the SNP.' After the June 5 vote was called following the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie in March, Labour and the SNP were the frontrunners, but the surge from Reform in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse seat has propelled the party into the mix. Accusing the SNP leader of using Reform as a 'mask for his failure', Mr Sarwar criticised the tactics of Mr Farage's party. A Facebook ad from the party showing a speech given by Mr Sarwar encouraging more people of Pakistani origin into politics has been roundly criticised. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Sarwar said: 'Throughout this by-election campaign, Reform have tried every dirty trick in the book to drive a wedge to divide this community – but I know you will see right through it. 'They know they can't win – they don't care about beating the SNP, all they care about is getting attention. 'Nigel Farage is a poisonous, pathetic and toxic little man that doesn't understand this community or our country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He and his cronies in Reform have spent thousands of pounds spreading bile, misinformation and racial slurs. 'Scotland is my home. I was born here.' The Scottish Labour leader also touted his party's candidate Davy Russell, who has himself been criticised for a perceived lack of appearances in the media.
The National
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Labour has 'given up' on Hamilton by-election, says John Swinney
Scotland's First Minister was speaking as the campaign for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse vote entered its final weekend. With the 'crucial' vote taking place on Thursday, June 5, Swinney said backing the SNP candidate means people in the area will 'elect an MSP who will deliver on their priorities'. Labour however, insisted that the by-election – taking place after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie – is a 'chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction'. READ MORE: Police investigating 'antisemitic graffiti' in Scottish city as hate crime Jackie Baillie, the Scottish Labour deputy leader, insisted only her party can defeat the SNP despite her party's candidate's abysmally poor campaign. She said Reform UK 'can't win' the seat, while adding that she believes that the SNP 'don't deserve' to do so. Baillie (below) said: 'We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence right across this community – people languishing on NHS waiting lists, high street shops struggling to stay open, and kids not getting the education they deserve. (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) 'It's clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.' She added that Reform UK, led by Farage, 'can't win here' – declaring: 'This is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, no matter how much Reform and the SNP want to pretend otherwise.' Swinney said, 'things are really tough right now for many people, with the cost of living a real issue'. But the First Minister insisted that 'while others shout, the SNP is acting'. He pointed to the action his party is taking at Holyrood to scrap peak rate rail fares, to pay winter fuel payments to pensioners, and to end the two-child cap on some benefits – a move expected to come in next year. Swinney continued: 'Labour have let people across Scotland down, and they have quite clearly given up on this by-election. 'Thursday's vote is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farage – and I am urging people to reject the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage and to unite behind the SNP.' Katy Loudon, the SNP's candidate for the seat, meanwhile, declared that if she is voted into Holyrood, she will 'get on with the job from day one'. She said: 'This by-election is an opportunity to put the priorities of people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse first, and my promise to local people is this – I will always stand with you, fight for you and deliver for you.'
Telegraph
18 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
SNP's Swinney willing to debate Farage before crucial Holyrood contest
John Swinney accused Labour of having 'given up' on winning a crucial Holyrood by-election as he said he would be willing to hold a debate with Nigel Farage, Reform UK's leader, ahead of next week's vote. The Scottish First Minister was speaking as the campaign for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse vote entered its final weekend. With the 'crucial' vote taking place on Thursday June 5, Mr Swinney said backing the SNP candidate means people in the area will 'elect an MSP who will deliver on their priorities'. He insisted the battle is a 'straight contest' between the SNP and 'the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage' and said he is willing to debate the Reform leader following a similar challenge laid down by Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour leader. Labour insisted the by-election – taking place after the death of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie – is a 'chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction'. Dame Jackie Baillie, the Scottish Labour deputy leader, insisted only her party can defeat the SNP as Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, visited a factory in the constituency. She said Reform UK 'can't win' the seat, while adding that the SNP 'does not deserve' to do so. Dame Jackie said: 'We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence right across this community – people languishing on NHS waiting lists, high-street shops struggling to stay open, and kids not getting the education they deserve. 'It's clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them.' She added that Reform UK, led by Mr Farage, 'can't win here', declaring: 'This is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, no matter how much Reform and the SNP want to pretend otherwise. 'This weekend, Scottish Labour campaigners will be talking to voters the length and breadth of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse so we can deliver a new direction for this community and elect local champion Davy Russell.' Mr Swinney accepted 'things are really tough right now for many people, with the cost of living a real issue'. But the First Minister insisted that 'while others shout, the SNP is acting'. He pointed to action his party is taking at Holyrood to scrap peak-rate rail fares, to pay winter fuel payments to pensioners, and to end the two-child cap on some benefits – a move expected to come in next year. Mr Swinney added: 'Labour have let people across Scotland down, and they have quite clearly given up on this by-election. 'Thursday's vote is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farage, and I am urging people to reject the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage and to unite behind the SNP.' He added: 'I would, of course, debate with Nigel Farage. 'But what's important is that we've got a contest on Thursday, which is an attempt by Farage to insert his politics of racism and poison into Scotland. 'I want to make sure the SNP wins the two-horse race in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.' Mr Farage is expected to visit the constituency next week to support Reform's candidate, Ross Lambie. The 41-year-old architect said he believed people were fed up with years of broken promises from opposition parties, which he said were 'panicked' by indications of growing support for his party. 'There's a real sense of urgency among people that things need to change quickly. But what they hear from Labour is that they might turn things around and start cutting taxes in 10 years. 'The SNP released its 19th annual programme for government a few weeks ago and there was nothing exciting in that. So people are actually a bit panicky. 'They feel there's been a lost generation – if you're in your 30s in Scotland, your whole adult life has been in a country with limited economic growth and falling standards in health and education.' Katy Loudon, the SNP's candidate for the seat, declared if she is voted into Holyrood, she will 'get on with the job from day one'. She said: 'This by-election is an opportunity to put the priorities of people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse first, and my promise to local people is this: I will always stand with you, fight for you and deliver for you.'
Scotsman
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
John Swinney claims Labour has 'given up' on by-election and contest is between SNP and Reform
Labour says Reform 'can't win' and SNP 'don't deserve' to do so as campaigning goes into final weekend Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... John Swinney has accused Labour of having "given up" on winning next week's Holyrood by-election - insisting the battle is now a "straight contest" between the SNP and "the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage ". The First Minister was speaking as the campaign for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse vote entered its final weekend. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With the "crucial" vote taking place on Thursday June 5 , Mr Swinney said backing the SNP candidate means people in the area will "elect an MSP who will deliver on their priorities". Labour however insisted the by-election - taking place after the death of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie - is a "chance to call time on SNP failure and choose a new direction". Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar joins candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election Davy Russell as they meet with workers at Raeburn Brick Limited on Friday | Getty Images Dame Jackie Baillie , the Scottish Labour deputy leader, insisted only her party can defeat the SNP. She said Reform UK "can't win" the seat, while adding that the SNP "don't deserve" to do so. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dame Jackie said: "We can see the consequences of SNP incompetence right across this community - people languishing on NHS waiting lists, high street shops struggling to stay open, and kids not getting the education they deserve. "It's clear the SNP does not deserve to win this by-election and only Scottish Labour can beat them." She added that Reform UK, led by Mr Farage, "can't win here" - declaring: "This is a direct fight between Scottish Labour and the SNP, no matter how much Reform and the SNP want to pretend otherwise. "This weekend Scottish Labour campaigners will be talking to voters the length and breadth of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse so we can deliver a new direction for this community and elect local champion Davy Russell." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Things are really tough right now' Mr Swinney accepted "things are really tough right now for many people, with the cost of living a real issue". But the First Minister insisted that "while others shout, the SNP is acting". He pointed to action his party is taking at Holyrood to scrap peak rate rail fares, to pay winter fuel payments to pensioners, and to end the two-child cap on some benefits - a move expected to come in next year. Mr Swinney continued: "Labour have let people across Scotland down, and they have quite clearly given up on this by-election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Thursday's vote is now a straight contest between the SNP and Nigel Farage - and I am urging people to reject the ugly, divisive politics of Nigel Farage and to unite behind the SNP." Reform candidate Ross Lambie hands out leaflets as he campaigns in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election on Friday | Getty Images Katy Loudon , the SNP's candidate for the seat, meanwhile declared if she is voted into Holyrood, she will "get on with the job from day one". She said: "This by-election is an opportunity to put the priorities of people in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse first, and my promise to local people is this - I will always stand with you, fight for you and deliver for you." Mr Swinney said on Friday he is willing to debate with Mr Farage , following a challenge laid down to the Reform UK leader by Mr Sarwar. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A social media video by Reform UK has prompted furore from parties in the Scottish Parliament , as it claimed Mr Sarwar would "prioritise" the Pakistani community. The advert - which the SNP and Labour have demanded be removed by Meta - shows clips of Mr Sarwar calling for more representation of Scots with south Asian heritage, although he did not say he would prioritise any one group. Row over 'blatantly racist' Reform ad Labour has previously described the ad as "blatantly racist", and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has accused Mr Farage of "introducing poison into our politics". Voters go to the polls on June 5 in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Holyrood constituency - a by-election called following the death of SNP MSP Christina McKelvie. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad First Minister John Swinney takes part in a whisky tasting session during a visit to the Auchentoshan Distillery in Glasgow on Friday | PA Mr Sarwar has said he is willing to debate the Reform UK leader, saying "I'll challenge him any time, any place in Hamilton, any town hall". During a visit to the Auchentoshan Distillery near Glasgow on Friday, the First Minister was asked if he too is ready to debate Mr Farage. Swinney challenges Farage to debate He said: "I would, of course, debate with Nigel Farage. "But what's important is that we've got a contest on Thursday, which is an attempt by Farage to insert his politics of racism and poison into Scotland. "I want to make sure the SNP wins the two-horse race in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It's crystal clear to me, the Labour campaign is collapsing and only votes for the SNP will stop Farage." Reform UK spokesman and Glasgow councillor Thomas Kerr had earlier responded to the Prime Minister's attacks on his party. He said: "Reform UK won't take any lectures on 'restoring trust in politics' from Sir Keir Starmer . "This is a Prime Minister whose first decision in office was to plunge millions of pensioners into fuel poverty. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Labour's campaign in Hamilton has been a calamity of car-crash gaffes from a candidate who ducks the media, a leader who forgets the candidate's name, and a Prime Minister who refuses to even turn up. "Starmer and Sarwar have broken Scotland . Reform will fix it." Labour has seen its chances of winning next year's Holyrood election tumble in the polls as voters that helped it oust the Tories at last year's Westminster election have deserted the party, with many now 'undecided'.
