SNP Leader John Swinney speaks with party members before visiting local businesses at a campaign session in South Queensferry. Credit: Jason Fong / Strathclyde Telegraph
There are 79 days until the election and Keir Starmer has survived the week, leaving Anas Sarwar in an awkward position and facing questions regarding the Prime Minister’s involvement in future Scottish campaigning. In other news, this week saw more campaigning from the major parties, including Ed Davey joining an Edinburgh Beach clean and John Swinney out in South Queensferry.
- Following Anas Sarwar’s shock announcement on Tuesday, in which he encouraged the Prime Minister to resign, he has been left in an awkward situation, as Keir Starmer remains. After Sawar’s announcement, many high-profile Labour members, like Rachel Reeves and Angela Rayner, came out in support of the PM. Now Sarwar has stated that Starmer is “welcome to chap doors” for Labour in Scotland ahead of the election but does not regret his statement.
- The Norstat survey for the Sunday Times showed that most Scots agree with Sarwar’s decision to separate himself from Starmer, with 52% agreeing with his actions.
- John Swinney has faced criticism regarding the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital scandal after he assured the public that it was safe when quizzed on the issue during FMQs.
Credit: Jason Fong / Strathclyde Telegraph
- Relationships with sex offender Sean Morton have created issues within the Labour Party. MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy and Lord Matthew Doyle have both had their positions called into question after maintaining a friendship with the sex offender, Duncan-Glancy having been suspended this week. After the Peter Mandelson revelations, there are new questions about Labour politicians’ judgment when it comes to associating with sex offenders.
- The Scottish Green Party is demanding that the Scottish Government ban the US military from using Glasgow Prestwick Airport. The debate will take place tomorrow in Parliament.
- The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned the Scottish Government that free university tuition may have to be cut unless it can find a way to raise more tax revenue.
This week has been full of campaigning and Labour scandal and division. Many students may want to pay attention to the developments of the Scottish Government regarding the free tuition fees. The SNP remains ahead in polls despite lacking enthusiasm from voters after two decades in government. It seems that the election is a race for second place between Reform and Labour.
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