Anas Sarwar

Honestly, hand on heart – because I’ve done it for five years – the hardest job in British politics is being the leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

The only (thing) that I would say to all three of them and to all 17 MSPs is your relationship with each other, your ability to work with each other and to look out for each other is going to be crucial.

I still have that view.

the hardest job in British politics is being the leader of the Scottish Labour Party.

your relationship with each other, your ability to work with each other and to look out for each other is going to be crucial.

My role is elected by and supported by our members here in Scotland, and it's for people here in Scotland to decide what happens here in Scotland. And I'm absolutely committed to pulling my party together and taking on those big fights.

I’ve seen how Andy Burnham has worked to empower communities, to deliver change, to brings jobs and economic growth through working with businesses, to make Manchester a great place to live and do business.

I will always be by their side.

Throughout my life, I have only ever been motivated by public service, the opportunity to serve our country is all I ever asked. That's why this is an opportunity I humbly accept.

I’m delighted to be joining Andy Burnham’s Government as UK Minister of State for Trade.

This is a fight for the heart and soul of our nation.

Britain has phenomenal talent – people bursting with ideas and energy, an entrepreneurial spirit and potential that needs unlocked and unleashed.

I take my fair share of responsibility for that.

No, I'm focused on being First Minister of this great country.

The rise of an emboldened new right must concentrate minds. This is a fight for the heart and soul of our nation. That's why Andy Burnham and this Labour government must succeed.

Looking back over the last five years, I am hugely proud of the work we have done since I became Scottish Labour leader.

The challenges facing the United Kingdom now could not be greater or the risks more stark.

I’m hungry for the fight ahead and I want to play my full part in making sure this country never ends up in the hands of Nigel Farage and Reform.

move very quickly to focusing on the issues they were elected to do - and that's delivering for the great people of this country.

Were there missteps? Yes, but I think Keir Starmer is always trying to act in what he thought was the best interest of the country.

I think Keir Starmer is always trying to act in what he thought was the best interest of the country.

We need to move very quickly to focusing on the issues they were elected to do - and that's delivering for the great people of this country.

I think my role, to be honest, is to make sure whoever puts themselves forward to be leader of the Labour Party, to be the next Prime Minister, that I'm also challenging them on what they mean by change, what meaningful outcomes they'll…

Look, that is my intention. I'm hungry for the fight ahead, and I want to play my full part in making sure this country never ends up in the hands of Nigel Farage and Reform UK.