Labour will have deep pockets in a contest that currently sees them trailing the SNP and Reform UK.
Anas Sarwar and John Swinney
Labour say they will reach one million Scots every week until the Holyrood election in their biggest digital blitz. It comes as leader Anas Sarwar’s party delivered a pre-election magazine to the same number of homes over the festive break.
Labour are nearly twenty points behind the SNP in the polls after a poor start by the UK Government. Polls also show Labour in third place behind Reform UK four months before voters have their say.
Despite their polling woes, Labour sources believe their party will have the deepest pockets in the run up to the election. They are expected to have a £1m-plus warchest and will be able to rely on the resources of the UK party.
In his Daily Record column, Sarwar wrote: “And we are unleashing the most sophisticated and largest digital operation of any party in Scotland – where we will reach 1 million Scots every week demonstrating Scotland’s choice.”
Sarwar, SNP leader John Swinney and Scottish Tory chief Russell Findlay will all make New Year speeches today in their opening pitch to voters. Sarwar will frame the contest as a straight choice between him and Swinney for First Minister.
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He will urge voters not to use the devolved election as a referendum on Starmer, who party insiders say is going down badly on the doorsteps. He will say: “In May, you’re not choosing a Prime Minister – you’re choosing a First Minister.
“And ultimately, there are only two options: another decade of the SNP with John Swinney, or change with me as First Minister.
“I get that as Scottish Labour we start this year as underdogs.
“But to John Swinney and anyone else who says we can’t win – whether they be other politicians, journalists, commentators or pollsters – underestimate me, underestimate the people in this room, underestimate thousands across the country at your peril.
“I am not daunted by the challenge – we are up for the fight and we are determined to win.”
However, one source said he is “frustrated” at the lack of policies announced by Labour so close to the poll.
Swinney, who is attempting to win a majority of MSPs in a bid to secure indyref2, will say: “The election on May 7th is about much more than the next five years. It’s the chance to empower ourselves to fundamentally address the biggest long-term issues facing Scotland.
“Voters everywhere are telling us the same thing: the UK economy is broken. Living standards are flat as a pancake. Far too many people are living in poverty. Energy costs in energy-rich Scotland are scandalously high.
“This is not the case for independent countries all around Scotland. They have far less natural advantages than us, but enjoy far higher living standards – so let’s aspire to match their success.
“The biggest step we can take to bring down energy bills across the board, and the best way to make daily life more affordable for people is for Scotland to become an independent country.”