ANAS Sarwar’s journey to the House of Lords has been confirmed, with the UK Government announcing on Wednesday evening that he would become a Trade Minister.
The outgoing Scottish Labour leader will have to resign his seat as an MSP to take on the position, leaving his party’s Holyrood group leaderless just weeks after saying he would “absolutely” not be resigning.
Sarwar has also faced heavy criticism for shifting to the unelected House of Lords despite repeatedly calling for it to be abolished, and saying he would not “ever” take a peerage just two months ago.
Amid the mounting backlash to his appointment to the UK Government, Sarwar released a statement at 10.47pm on Wednesday evening – too late for Scotland’s papers.
In the statement, Sarwar tried to justify his decision to go back on his word and join the House of Lords, and said he took his “fair share of responsibility” for Scottish Labour’s election loss in May, their worst in the Scottish parliament’s history.
Here is Anas Sarwar’s statement in full:
I’m delighted to be joining Andy Burnham’s Government as UK Minister of State for Trade. My full statement👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/8yAtfWV5rv
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) July 22, 2026
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.
Throughout my life, I have only ever been motivated by public service, the opportunity to serve our country is all I ever asked. That’s why this is an opportunity I humbly accept.
From working as an NHS dentist, through my time as Member of Parliament, Member of the Scottish Parliament and as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, it has been an honour to serve the people of the great City of Glasgow and across Scotland.
The challenges facing the United Kingdom now could not be greater or the risks more stark. The rise of an emboldened new right must concentrate minds. This is a fight for the heart and soul of our nation. That’s why Andy Burnham and this Labour Government must succeed.
That fight starts by showing that politics and government works for everyone, in all parts of the United Kingdom. Our relationship with countries around the world is a vital part of that effort. Jobs here in Britain depend on customers overseas.
I’ve seen how Andy Burnham has worked to empower communities, to deliver change, to brings jobs and economic growth through working with businesses, to make Manchester a great place to live and do business. We have a job of work to do to replicate that in every corner of the United Kingdom.
Britain has phenomenal talent – people bursting with ideas and energy, an entrepreneurial spirit and potential that needs unlocked and unleashed. That is what will drive me every day in this new role.
Looking back over the last 5 years, I am hugely proud of the work we have done since I became Scottish Labour Leader.
As a team, we rebuilt and renewed the party, leading the way in removing the Tories from office, taking Scottish Labour from 1 Member of Parliament in 2019 to 37 in 2024.
And we always endeavoured to hold the Scottish Government to account and advocated for change in Scotland too. I am disappointed and sorry we couldn’t achieve a better outcome at the recent Scottish election. I take my fair share of responsibility for that.
While I have so much I am proud of in my 10 years in the Scottish Parliament, nothing has meant more to me or had more of an impact on me than standing up for the families affected by the scandal and cover up at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. For them their fight for justice continues, but I will always be by their side.
I would like to thank all our members, staff and elected politicians for all their support and efforts over the years.
I am particularly thankful to my Deputy, Jackie Baillie, for her steadfast support and encouragement. She has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since its creation in 1999. She has maintained the same energy and commitment to our party and to Scotland since that first day to today.
Thank you too to our General Secretary Kate Watson. She has given every waking moment to the cause of Labour and been by my side throughout my time as Leader. Jackie and Kate – you are the best of us and I will always be thankful to you both.
To all my colleagues in both Parliaments and to all our amazing staff – thank you for everything you have done, and I’m sure will continue to do – for the Labour movement and for Scotland. I look forward to continuing to support you in those efforts, albeit from a different role.
The Scottish Labour Party has a range of talent among our Members of the Scottish Parliament. The best interests of the individuals, families and communities we seek to represent is served by having a strong and effective Labour Party. I will work with my successor to deliver that.
Anas Sarwar.
