Anas Sarwar

I, Anas, Lord Sarwar, do swear by Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God.

I am disappointed and sorry we couldn’t achieve a better outcome at the recent Scottish election. I take my fair share of responsibility for that.

The distraction needs to end, and the leadership in Downing Street needs to change.

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.

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.

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

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

I still have that view.

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.

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

I will always be by their side.

I take my fair share of responsibility for that.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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.

If he emerges as the leader of the Labour Party, if he emerges as our next prime minister, I hope that same level of hope, heart and energy that he’s demonstrated in Greater Manchester, as he did in the Makerfield by-election, is something…

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.