STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer issued the call during the Scottish Labour conference.
Scotland’s top trade unionist has warned Anas Sarwar over an “absence of ambition” as he tries to topple the SNP. STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said Scottish Labour had to “govern with courage” or else right wing parties like Reform UK will surge.
Foyer issued the barbed comments after Sarwar’s keynote speech at his party’s conference in Glasgow. Scottish Labour’s poll rating has tanked after a troubled start for Keir Starmer’s Government and Sarwar’s Bute House bid next year looks to be in trouble.
Foyer, who will address conference today, said: “Last year, the people of Scotland voted for change. So far, from a UK Labour Government perspective, that change has been glacial at best and completely lacking in ambition at worst.
“Scottish Labour cannot follow suit. This is a clear warning: if Labour doesn’t deliver for working people, it’s becoming clear that voters will seek answers elsewhere. The rise of Reform and other parties who despicably prey on people’s genuine economic insecurities will continue unless Labour delivers fast on improving life standards for all those across our country. There is little time for delay. We were promised change. It’s time Labour delivered.”
She said: “The absence of ambition and action from successive governments is creating a vacuum in our communities – a space that right-wing forces like Reform are eagerly filling.”
She laid down a challenge to Scottish Labour if they win power next year at Holyrood: “Govern with courage. Govern with ambition. Govern with the fire of a movement that has always been, and must always be, on the side of working people. Only then will you deliver the change we need.”
She also hit out at the “betrayal” by the Scottish and UK Governments of Grangemouth workers, who are being laid off. Trade unions have hit out at what they believe is the lack of action to protect hundreds of jobs.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: “After nearly two decades of managed decline under the SNP, Scotland deserves change.
“The U.K. Labour government has already delivered a pay rise for hundreds of thousands of Scots through the New Deal for Working People, kickstarted a clean energy revolution by creating GB Energy and delivered the largest Budget settlement on record to Scotland.
“Scottish Labour has already set out steps we would take immediately as a government including renegotiating the GP contract to end the 8am appointment rush and bring back the family doctor and ending peak train fares.
“Scotland needs a new direction and Scottish Labour is ready to deliver it.”
