Former Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar joins Burnham cabinet as trade minister

Anas Sarwar has resigned as leader of Scottish Labour to accept a peerage and a ministerial role in the UK government. Prime Minister Andy Burnham appointed him as minister of state for trade at the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from political rivals in Holyrood. Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay called Sarwar a "chancer" for joining the House of Lords after previously promising to scrap it. The SNP accused him of lying to the electorate, with MSP George Adam mocking his future in "ermine robes" and demanding he donate his new "bumper salary" to charity.

The transition occurs less than three months after Scottish Labour recorded its worst election results in Holyrood history. Notably, Sarwar was the first senior Labour figure to publicly call for Keir Starmer to resign as party leader. Colleagues within the Scottish party expressed surprise at the sudden departure, noting that a planned resignation would have allowed for a smoother restructuring.

Sarwar’s Scottish parliament seat will pass to Monica Lennon, who is considered a credible contender to succeed him. The leadership field will be drawn from a limited pool of just 17 Labour MSPs. Michael Marra is also emerging as a potential candidate from outside the traditional Edinburgh and Glasgow power centres.

The new Scottish Labour leader will face the structural challenge of balancing a distinct Scottish political offer with the demands of a UK-wide party. Insiders suggest the successor will also need to navigate the priorities of Andy Burnham, whose centralising focus has drawn criticism from the devolved administrations.

Burnham is scheduled to meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney and Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth on Thursday ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony. Critics argue the prime minister’s devolution proposals fall short for the devolved nations, and some believe Sarwar’s presence in Westminster could help bridge this constitutional gap.

For Sarwar, the move represents a pragmatic choice between five more years in opposition in Scotland and immediate executive power in London. "I am delighted and honoured to have been asked by the prime minister to serve every part of the United Kingdom as the minister of state for trade," he said.

Acting Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie thanked Sarwar for his leadership, integrity and vision for a fairer Scotland. However, the swift ascent to Westminster has provoked deep resentment north of the border, highlighting the enduring friction between the UK government and its devolved parliaments.