In an interview with Glasgow Southside’s Glad Radio, Scottish Labour Party leader Anas Sarwar confirmed his support for Keir Starmer’s policy of the UK not seeking to rejoin the European Single Market or the Customs Union. “We will not rejoin the Single Market or the Customs Union” said the Glasgow area MSP.
You can hear the full interview here.
Speaking to Bylines Scotland’s Martin Roche, Mr Sarwar argued that the Labour government was resetting the UK’s relationship with Europe. He said there are other significant growth areas, including India, North America and the Gulf States where the UK sees opportunities, as well as the EU. Mr Sarwar asserted that Labour will reach deals that are “good for Scotland and good for the UK.”
Asked about growing inequality, Mr Sarwar ruled out a wealth tax, describing it as “the wrong solution.” He argued that Labour’s recent budget will help redistribute wealth.
Dismissing a recent newspaper poll showing 52% in favour of independence, the Labour leader said nine months is too short a time to judge the Starmer government and that Labour had to make “very difficult choices.”
He said many of the powers held by the Scottish government are “broken”, citing planning, business rates, transport, regional economic development, lack of industrial strategy, education and the Scottish NHS.” He said devolving powers from Holyrood to reformed local government in Scotland will help unlock economic progress.
Asked what powers he would like to see come to Holyrood from Westminster, Mr Sarwar had no proposals, saying that the powers Holyrood has now can be better used.
NHS “not on the table”
On the NHS being part of a trade deal with the USA, Mr Sarwar said,
“The NHS is not on the table and will always be a national asset.”
Commenting on newspaper reports that the White House wants the UK to reform legislation protecting the rights of minority groups in return for a trade deal, Mr Sarwar said.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that the UK Labour government will protect the laws, rights and freedoms that exist for citizens across the United Kingdom.”
During the interview, Mr Sarwar said free university tuition is safe with Labour. He reiterated his support for a classroom phone ban, rejected devolving broadcasting and telecommunications regulation to the Scottish Government and rejected the Scottish Government having devolved corporate taxation powers.
Influenced by his mother’s values
Anas Sarwar is the son of the UK’s first Muslim MP, Mohammad Sarwar.
He says his values were formed more by his mother than his father. His parents now live in Pakistan, where Sarwar’s mother has her own charity that runs 2 hospitals, a school focused on girl’s education, and 40 centres delivering empowerment programmes for women.
Anas Sarwar said.
“My mother believes in looking out for the less fortunate. That’s what drives me. She would say it’s not about the titles you have, the house you have and the cars you drive. She was and remains the rock in our household.”
Mr Sarwar said Nelson Mandela had been a great influence on his political beliefs and that former Prime Minister Gordon Brown had had a significant impact on his political thinking.
Bylines Scotland is grateful to Glad Radio and Martin Roche for permission to reproduce the interview with Mr Sarwar.
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