Sarwar promises to fix the SNP’s ‘mess’ as Labour launches its manifesto

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has pledged to put the NHS at the centre of his plans for government as he promised to fix the “mess” left by the SNP.

The party will launch its manifesto today ahead of the 7 May election, promising to cut waiting times in the health service and offering a GP appointment within 48 hours for anyone who needs it.

There is also a pledge to top up tax-free childcare to £3,000 per child, create 9,000 new apprenticeships and build 125,000 new homes.

Sarwar’s party had been leading the SNP in the polls but has struggled since the 2024 general election which brought Labour to power at Westminster.

A poll published last week put Scottish Labour on track for its worst-ever result, coming fourth behind the Scottish Greens and Reform UK.

Sarwar said: “We have all seen the mess John Swinney and the SNP have made over those 20 years. Waiting lists have soared, patients are being left in pain, families are paying more and getting less, and too many people feel our country is stuck.

 “You’ve given the SNP 20 years and Scotland has paid the price. Give me five years to fix the mess, save our NHS and deliver the change Scotland needs.”

Other manifesto pledges include delivering a rail link between Glasgow airport and the city centre, fixing up to five million potholes on Scotland’s roads with a new £350m fund, and introducing a right to recall MSPs in an effort to “clean up politics”.

“My first priority as first minister will be to put our NHS first by cutting waiting times, ending the 8am rush for a GP and bringing back the family doctor,” Sarwar added.

“But this manifesto is about more than that, it is about transforming Scotland, making life more affordable, creating jobs and opportunity, building more homes, backing our schools, fixing our roads and ending government waste.

“This election is a straight choice between more of the same with the SNP or change with Scottish Labour.”

SNP deputy leader Keith Brown said: “Anas Sarwar told Scotland to trust Keir Starmer, he told us the Labour Party would bring energy bills down and he told us they would save Grangemouth. Well, Starmer has been a disaster, energy bills are up and Grangemouth has closed. No one will believe a word Sarwar says now.

“We know what we get with the Labour Party – we already have one disastrous Labour government, we don't need another one.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Scottish voters know they can’t trust Labour after being subjected to nearly two years of broken promises and U-turns by Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves.

“Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour campaigned tirelessly to install this dud prime minister in Downing Street, and they need to own the consequences of his disastrous government.  

“Scotland desperately needs change after 19 years of decline under the SNP – but Labour can’t offer that change because they’re part of the same failed, left-wing Holyrood consensus.”