Quite right! | Anas Sarwar: why I said Starmer should go

In this episode of *Quite Right*, Michael Goat interviews Anas Sarwar, Labour's leader in Scotland and a leading contender for First Minister, about his bold call for Keir Starmer to step down and his vision for a transformative Labour government in Scotland. Sarwar argues that after nearly two decades of SNP rule, Scotland urgently needs change, emphasizing that the SNP has failed on core issues like the economy, education, and public services, while prioritizing independence over governance. He champions a pragmatic, reformist approach focused on economic innovation, education recovery, and public service renewal, positioning Scotland as a national hub for AI, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Sarwar stresses that his criticism of Starmer is not about Westminster politics but about accountability to Scotland, where he believes he alone can deliver change. He rejects both independence and the politics of division, advocating instead for a minority Labour government that unites across party lines to fix Scotland’s immediate crises. The conversation delves into Sarwar’s values-driven leadership, his critique of both the SNP’s blame culture and Reform’s divisive rhetoric, and his concrete plans to improve schools through mobile phone bans, permanent teacher contracts, and 2,000 new specialist teachers. He also reflects on Labour’s historical inspirations—Gordon Brown, Tony Blair, and Robin Cook—and underscores the need for a compelling national story. Ultimately, Sarwar frames the upcoming Holyrood election as a pivotal moment not just for Scotland, but for the future of UK politics: a choice between a politics of division and one of unity, competence, and hope.