FOR Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in 2015, and losing the party leadership battle in 2017 were two painful experiences that made him a better politician.
The Asian-origin leader told The Times that those two defeats helped him to be clear about who he was and what he believed.
When he took over the reins of the Labour party in Scotland in 2021, it was lagging 33 points behind the SNP. The latest polls now show that Labour is five points ahead.
Pollsters expect Labour to win nearly 34 seats, with the SNP getting reduced to 15, from 48 in the 2019 election.
Labour has accomplished this turnaround by focusing on the economy and business rather than trying to fight SNP on left-wing policies.
Sarwar has been harping on economic growth, and he feels the Scottish parliament that came into being 25 years ago has focused mainly on social issues and not used the economic levers to support local businesses and spur growth.
Sarwar claims he is close to Sir Keir Starmer and shares his political beliefs. He concurs with Starmer's view that to bring about social change, a strong economy is crucial.
The Scottish Labour leader is no fan of 'strong' leaders and claims that the party is now more united and transformed "thanks to being a nice guy".
He says he had a privileged childhood as the son of a successful businessman and politician, and would not like to project himself otherwise.
Sarwar credits his mother Perveen for instilling the values that drew him to the Labour party. She used to advise him to look out for those less fortunate and try to help them.
He feels governments should create conditions where people can live their lives free of injustice and inequality, and this should take precedence over religious positions.
“I will have much less credibility in persuading people to back me in challenging Islamophobia and racism if I don’t back people in return around challenging antisemitism and homophobia, or indeed challenging sexism, and I think we have got to make each other’s fight a fight for all of us if we are to make social progress as a nation,” he told the daily.
VAT on school fees
The Scottish Labour leader feels that ending the VAT break on private schools is a 'difficult decision' but will help provide more money to state schools.
He said the public finances were in poor shape and imposing the 20 per cent VAT on private school fees is a key part of Starmer’s plan to raise more money.
It is estimated that this would raise £150 million for Scotland’s budget, and polls suggest it is popular with voters.
However, it has been warned that private schools will pass on the hike to the parents and many of them will be forced to move their children to state schools.
Bob Blackman MP speaks during the event