image credit: Jason Fong/Strathclyde Telegraph

Anas Sarwar has been appointed a minister in Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s new government, moving from Holyrood into the UK Government and stepping down as Scottish Labour leader.

Sarwar, who had led Scottish Labour since February 2021, has been appointed Minister of State in the newly created Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade on July 22 and has taken a seat in the House of Lords.

The department is central to the government’s economic agenda, with Burnham placing re-industrialisation, tackling the cost-of-living crisis and reforming education among his early priorities. In his first speech as Prime Minister, Burnham also pledged to deliver a new political model and address the pressures facing households.

Burnham was elected Labour leader on July 16 and became Prime Minister on July 20, succeeding Keir Starmer. He returned to Parliament in June as MP for Makerfield after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. Sarwar had backed Burnham’s leadership and attended his first speech as Labour leader.

Sarwar’s departure from Holyrood does not require a by-election. He was elected as a regional-list MSP, meaning his seat can be filled through the replacement process for regional members.

His resignation triggered a Scottish Labour leadership contest. Michael Marra and Joe Fagan are now the two candidates on the ballot after Monica Lennon failed to secure enough nominations. The new leader is due to be announced in September.

Sarwar said he was “delighted” to join the government and described it as “an honour” to have served the people of Glasgow. Following Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister, he also praised his “bold Labour vision.”

Sarwar brings more than a decade of political experience to his new role. Before entering Holyrood, he was MP for Glasgow Central and later served as Scottish Labour’s health spokesman, where he played a prominent role in scrutiny of hospital safety concerns in Glasgow.

His appointment marks a significant shift in his political career, taking him from leading the opposition at Holyrood to a ministerial role in the UK Government as Burnham begins his premiership.

The move also places a prominent Scottish Labour figure at the centre of Burnham’s plans for business, innovation and trade, while opening a new chapter for Scottish Labour as it chooses a successor to Sarwar.