SCOTTISH Labour has revealed its new leader ahead of the Holyrood election.
Anas Sarwar takes over from interim leader Jackie Baillie, who stepped up when Richard Leonard resigned last month.
Monica Lennon won 42.44% of the vote, while Sarwar won 57.56%.
With 10 weeks until the election Labour is in third place in the polls, firmly behind the Tories. A recent Ipsos MORI poll for STV News of 1031 people put support for the party at 15% in the constituency vote and 14% in the regional list.
With the SNP likely to enjoy a runaway victory and possibly a majority at Holyrood, sitting on 52% in constituencies and 47% in regions, Labour’s task is to catch the Tories in second place – with the Conservatives currently sitting on 23% and 22% respectively.
Upon his win, Sarwar posted this video to his Twitter page.
It is the greatest honour of my life to be elected leader of @ScottishLabour.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) February 27, 2021
I will be a leader that focuses on what unites us as a country - not what divides us. pic.twitter.com/Gu08Sx0TNl
In a speech to members after the announcement, he thanked Lennon for a campaign that “has shown the best of our party, not the worst of our politics”.
Speaking directly to voters, he added: “I know Labour has a lot of work to do to win back your trust, because if we’re brutally honest, you haven’t had the Scottish Labour Party you deserve.
“Rising injustice, inequality and division, I’m sorry we haven’t been good enough and I will work day and night to change that so we can build a country we all need.”
Meanwhile Lennon congratulated the new leader on his win. She wrote she was "proud to have been part of this positive leadership debate" and thanked her volunteer team, party staff and those who participated in the vote.
Congratulations to @AnasSarwar, our new leader. 🌹
— Monica Lennon (@MonicaLennon7) February 27, 2021
Proud to have been part of this positive leadership debate. Huge thanks to my volunteer team, @scottishlabour party staff and the members and affiliates who participated.
Let’s get out there as a united team. #BothVotesLabour
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon sent a message to Sarwar, tweeting: "Congratulations to @AnasSarwar - he (and his dad before him) and I are longtime political opponents, but I also like and rate him. That may not always be obvious in the weeks ahead as election battle is joined, so worth saying so now."
Congratulations to @AnasSarwar - he (and his dad before him) and I are longtime political opponents, but I also like and rate him. That may not always be obvious in the weeks ahead as election battle is joined, so worth saying so now. https://t.co/YrxIvzOZqp
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) February 27, 2021
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer also congratulated Sarwar, writing online: "Huge congratulations to @AnasSarwar on his election as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party. I look forward to working with him to secure our economy, protect our NHS and rebuild our country."
His election, as the first person from an ethnic minority to lead a UK party, was a testament to Scotland, Sarwar said.
“Today we have elected the first-ever ethnic minority leader of a political party in the UK.
“That doesn’t say something about me. That says something great about Scotland and its people. But the fight for equality is far from over.
“I’ll work with all our diverse communities in Scotland to rebuild the country we love.”
Sarwar concluded: “I’m determined that the Labour Party I lead will always be on your side.
“Because I will be a leader who focuses on what unites our country – not what divides it. Together we will build a better future for Scotland.”
In the coming weeks, Sarwar said, he would lay out his vision for a “Covid recovery parliament” following the next election, which would focus on tackling the economic, health and societal impacts of the pandemic.
Sarwar has repeatedly voiced his opposition to another independence referendum while his opponent in the race said it was important the party did not “deny democracy” if a pro-independence majority is elected to Holyrood in May.
Among party members the vote was 61.21% for Sarwar and 38.75% for Lennon. Among affiliated supporters it was 50.64% for Lennon and 49.21% for Sarwar.
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