Starmer vows to lead Labour into Holyrood election amid leadership chatter
Labour leader says he will guide the party through the 2026 Holyrood vote and other contests, as leadership speculation involving Andy Burnham and Anas Sarwar surfaces.
Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to lead Labour into the 2026 Holyrood election, despite criticism from within his party. The pledge followed comments by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham that there should be 'a proper plan for the country' and that some Labour MPs had approached him about challenging the leadership.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, Starmer said he would not comment on Burnham's personal ambitions but would lead Labour in all upcoming elections, including Holyrood, the Welsh Parliament and English local elections. He argued that Labour had changed under his leadership and that he would continue delivering change across the United Kingdom. He also rejected suggestions that his record in government had derailed Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's chances of becoming first minister.
Burnham, who is not an MP, has not ruled out a leadership bid but said any contest should focus on a 'proper plan for the country' rather than personalities. He proposed raising taxes for higher earners and increasing borrowing to build council houses, arguing the government should move beyond the current approach of being 'in hock to the bond markets'.
Sarwar told reporters that he would not be drawn into internal tittle-tattle and urged Labour to focus on delivering for the country. He acknowledged Starmer had a 'difficult job' and said the UK government had achieved 'huge successes' that needed better communication. He insisted the pair worked closely together and that Labour's aim remained to oust the SNP from government in Scotland.
Starmer also confirmed that he had lobbied U.S. President Donald Trump for a tariff exemption on whisky during his state visit to the United Kingdom last week. The aim is to reduce the 10% tariff that industry groups say costs Scottish businesses about £4 million a week. Trump did not strike a deal during the visit. First Minister John Swinney has discussed the issue with Trump and said groundwork had been laid, but the decision remains with the UK government to push the measure over the line.
The parties are arguing about how best to safeguard Scotland's economy as the 10% tariff weighs on whisky firms and broader exports. Separately, Labour points to a £10 billion deal to build Clyde-built warships for the Norwegian navy as evidence of industrial and defence advantages that could bolster the party's appeal in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood vote.
In politics coverage, Sarwar told BBC Scotland he would watch the polls closely but stay focused on delivering for Scotland. He observed the prime minister has faced a difficult public image and noted Labour's national poll ratings are weak, especially in Scotland where the SNP leads in Holyrood voting intentions. Starmer's strategy, some observers say, hinges on demonstrating concrete gains—such as defence orders and trade terms—that benefit Scottish workers.
The Holyrood election, which will coincide with the Welsh Parliament and English local elections, remains a barometer for Labour's ambition to return to government in Scotland for the first time since 2007. Starmer's pledge to lead Labour into all of the upcoming ballots signals a bid to present a unified national strategy, even as within-party tensions continue to swirl around Burnham and Sarwar. The party aims to regain government in Scotland and present a united front across the UK as it faces SNP competition in Holyrood and other elections.
