Labour’s Scottish campaign has come under renewed pressure after a YouGov poll showed just 15 percent of voters in Scotland intend to back the party at the start of 2026.
The polling follows a series of controversies involving Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, including allegations of buying fake social media followers and the distribution of disputed election leaflets.
The YouGov survey indicates Labour’s support has fallen sharply, fuelling criticism of the party’s direction as the May election approaches.
Scottish Labour has also been reported to the Electoral Commission after claims that quotes from a health activist were fabricated for use in campaign literature.
Despite calls to halt distribution, the leaflet continues to be delivered to households across Scotland, according to reports in the Daily Record.
Advertising records have further revealed that Scottish Labour election adverts on Facebook have been funded from London since December 2025, during the same period Sarwar sought to distance his party from UK Labour leader Keir Starmer.
The funding revelations have prompted fresh scrutiny of Labour’s campaign messaging and its relationship with the UK party.
Internal tensions have also been reported within Scottish Labour following speculation about a leadership challenge involving Andy Burnham.
SNP depute leader at Westminster Pete Wishart said the situation reflected a wider breakdown in Labour’s Scottish operation.
“The Labour Party’s campaign has descended into chaos, infighting and downright lies, Anas Sarwar is a complete chancer and while he can buy bot followers, he can’t buy votes.
“To begin the year Anas Sarwar tried to distance himself from the man he backed to the hilt for 18 months, Keir Starmer, one of the most unpopular Prime Ministers in living memory, but Anas Sarwar is fooling nobody and they are on course for their worst defeat in history.
“Scottish voters have been blanketed with deceptive leaflets and unauthorised use of people’s images with clear evidence that Labour’s campaign is being funded from London.
“This isn’t a series of isolated mistakes, it’s a pattern of behaviour and it’s no wonder Anas Sarwar has been reported to the Electoral Commission.
“In his sheer arrogance, Anas Sarwar is trying to treat the Scottish public like fools, but they have seen right through him and his shambolic party that is increasingly desperate, increasingly careless, and increasingly made in London.
“Anas Sarwar can’t even keep his Labour Party branch office in order never mind run a country.
“The chaos in the Labour party stands in stark contrast with the trusted leadership offered by John Swinney and the SNP which is why people in Scotland are putting their faith in us ahead of May’s election.
“John Swinney is relentlessly focussed on Scotland’s NHS and the cost of living crisis while offering people hope through a fresh start with independence, only voting for the SNP in May can secure that future.”
