Labour ‘ready to deliver’ while SNP and Reform ‘mired in scandal’, says Sarwar

by Dermocrat reporter

Scottish Labour is “ready to deliver” for voters, Anas Sarwar has said as he claimed his rivals in the Holyrood election are already “mired in scandal”.

Mr Sarwar hit out at both the SNP and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, whose Scottish leader Malcom Offord, has complained about being the victim of “fake outrage” after comments he admits were “probably” homophobic he made at a rugby club dinner in 2018 came to light.

The SNP, meanwhile, is facing accusations it “ignored” or “downplayed” the actions of Jordan Linden, a former council leader who was this week convicted of five sexual assaults.

With campaigning for the Holyrood election having only got underway on Thursday, Mr Sarwar said: “Already Reform and the SNP are in chaos, mired in scandal.

“Only one party is positive, ready and ready to deliver a change for our country, and that’s Scottish Labour.

He added that while Lord Offord is “trying to defend horrific comments he made a few years back”, Scottish Labour has a campaign that is “focused on the future, focused on the issues, and determined to deliver change in this country”.

Scottish Labour has said Reform’s election campaign is “falling apart before our eyes” as the party loses yet more candidates.

Since its launch, Reform’s campaign has been embroiled in chaos, with the party losing multiple candidates, defending offensive jokes and social media posts, and getting its manifesto torn to shreds by independent experts.

The final list of Scottish Parliament candidates shows the party appears to have lost even more candidates as multiple last-minute changes appear.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “Reform’s campaign continues to fall apart before our eyes as yet more candidates drop out.

“Malcolm Offord and Reform can’t even hold on to their own candidates – they have no chance of persuading voters. Reform is a joke, but not a funny one.

“It’s clearer than ever that this election is a direct choice between a third decade of SNP failure or a better future with Scottish Labour.

“On May 7, Scotland can reject the chaos and scandal of Reform and the SNP and vote for change by electing a Scottish Labour government led by Anas Sarwar.”

CLAIRE THROWS HAT IN THE RING FOR SCOTTISH COMMON PARTY

Meanwhile, Claire Gallagher, left, has announced her candidacy in the Clydebank and Milngavie seat.

She told The Democrat: “I’m standing in this election because the people of Clydebank and Milngavie deserve better. For too long, the same political parties have asked for your trust and failed to deliver meaningful change.

“I see it every day: hardworking residents doing their best to get by, elderly people feeling overlooked, children growing up without the opportunities they deserve, and carers and families stretched to their limits. These are not isolated issues; they are signs of a system that is no longer working.

“I am standing for the Scottish Common Party. I am standing because I believe our communities deserve honesty, accountability, and real action. We need leadership that listens, that understands local challenges, and that puts people before party interests.

“Milngavie and Clydebank are strong communities with proud histories. Together, we can build a future that supports everyone, where no one is left behind, and where trust in representation is restored.

“This election is an opportunity to demand better. I am ready to stand up for you and work tirelessly to deliver the change our communities need.”