Scots have a chance to “make history” on election day and remove the SNP after nearly two decades of power, Anas Sarwar has said.
In a rallying cry to members on the eve of the election, the Scottish Labour leader said his party could “pull off a surprise” and outdo the polls.
He insisted Labour was fighting to win the election and form the next government despite surveys suggesting the party could face a historic defeat and end in third place behind Reform and the SNP.
Asked by the Press Association whether he would continue as leader for the rest of the next parliament, regardless of the outcome of the election, Mr Sarwar said: “I look forward to leading Scottish Labour and leading the next Scottish Government into supporting this great country for the next five years.”
The Scottish Labour leader was introduced by a teary Jackie Baillie, his deputy, and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, with Ms Baillie telling the crowd that the party had one clear message: “Reject Reform, beat the SNP, change Scotland.”
Mr Sarwar, who received a standing ovation from the audience in Glasgow, urged voters to give him five years to improve Scotland’s hospitals, schools and streets after nearly 20 years of “managed decline” under the SNP.
He said: “You have given John Swinney and the SNP 20 years – give me five.
“In that time, we will demonstrate that we can fix the NHS, we can make life more affordable and we can build a better future for Scotland.
“But that means rejecting Reform, beating the SNP, changing Scotland, and the only way to do that is by voting Scottish Labour.”
Mr Sarwar said that with less than 24 hours to go until the polls open, “we have the chance to make history in Scotland” and “give this country the government it deserves”.
He said: “We have the chance to improve the life chances and outcomes of children right across this new country, and we’ve got the chance to bring our NHS back to those founding principles.”
He predicted Scottish Labour would “pull off a surprise” and outdo expectations when the result is revealed on Friday.
Mr Sarwar said the election would be decided by 38 “knife-edge” constituencies that were a “straight choice” between Scottish Labour and the SNP.
The Scottish Labour leader warned Scots that Reform UK were the “midwives of an SNP government” as he claimed “every single vote” for the party was “a vote to help the SNP and to keep the SNP in power”.
“If you want to get rid of the SNP and you want to change this country and reject Reform in the process, you need to vote Scottish Labour,” he added.
Angus Roberton, SNP campaign director and candidate for Edinburgh Central, said “only the SNP can stop Nigel Farage at the border” as he claimed Labour wants to “line up to do a grubby deal with Reform”.
He added: “John Swinney’s trusted and reliable leadership is firmly on Scotland’s side, while the Westminster parties have absolutely nothing to offer the people of Scotland.
“Only an SNP majority can lock out Nigel Farage and unlock independence – that’s what’s on the ballot and only both votes SNP can ensure it.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said he understood voters felt “let down” by other parties.
“We think Scotland deserves better than this,” he said. “But it needs to be change with fairness at its heart.
Reject the poison of Reform.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) May 6, 2026
Beat the SNP.
Change Scotland by voting for Scottish Labour. 🗳️🏴 pic.twitter.com/KbDdEvdl6K
“In many constituencies we are on the verge of winning against the SNP but, wherever you are, every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Scottish Labour are paying the price for the litany of broken promises and U-turns by the useless Keir Starmer.
“Anas Sarwar campaigned relentlessly to inflict this dud Prime Minister on the country and is shamelessly trying to disown him now.
“Scottish Labour can’t offer change from the SNP, when they support the same failed agenda of high taxes, out-of-control benefits spending and destroying the oil and gas sector.
“The Scottish Conservatives offer a credible low-tax, pro-growth alternative to the left-wing Holyrood consensus and we’re the only party that can be trusted to stand up for Scotland’s place in the union.
“That’s why pro-UK voters must back us on their peach ballot to stop an SNP majority and John Swinney’s push for another divisive independence referendum.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said: “Labour have spent this campaign proving that they are not the change Scotland needs.
“They have ducked the big questions, watered down their promises and shown time and again that they would rather mimic Reform than stand up to their toxic politics.
“At Westminster, Labour are arming Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, keeping cruel Tory welfare policies, and refusing to make the super-rich pay their fair share.
“In Scotland, Anas Sarwar is asking people to trust him while offering no real answers on child poverty, housing, public services or the climate crisis.
“Thursday is a chance to make history. The polls show that the Scottish Greens are on course for a breakthrough, but we know we can go even further.
“Every Green vote can elect MSPs who will stand up for Scotland, stand against Reform’s politics of division, and push for the bold action that Labour and the SNP have failed to deliver.
“People across Scotland can demand better by voting for the Scottish Greens.”
