The Labour Party has been thrown into open turmoil after allies of Prime Minister Keir Starmer privately branded Scottish Labour MPs “idiots” amid escalating infighting ahead of the Scottish Parliament election.
According to reports in The Times, members of Starmer’s inner circle have reacted angrily to Scottish Labour MPs who have publicly turned against the Prime Minister while privately benefiting from his leadership.
One ally was quoted as saying “these idiots need to stop being part of the problem”, accusing MPs of briefing against Starmer in London while seeking approval at party events in Scotland.
Another senior figure went further, saying Scottish Labour MPs were “hypocrites” who would not have won their seats without Starmer’s leadership in the first place.
The remarks come after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar began the new year by distancing himself from Starmer, despite having strongly promoted him to Scottish voters just 18 months ago.
Behind the scenes, Labour sources have confirmed that Scottish MPs are actively discussing a move to remove Starmer from office before the Holyrood election, with plans reportedly forming around a leadership change in favour of Wes Streeting.
Senior figures close to the Prime Minister have reacted with fury, accusing Scottish colleagues of acting out of narrow political self interest after returning from electoral obscurity.
The public fallout has intensified scrutiny on Labour’s internal divisions, raising questions about party unity and leadership stability just months before voters go to the polls.
Following Keir Starmer’s team branding Scottish Labour politicians “idiots”, SNP deputy Westminster Leader, Pete Wishart MP said:
“The Labour Party is in utter chaos and this bitter infighting is a disaster for Anas Sarwar with just months until the Scottish Election, but the fact is it’s a direct consequence of his school boy political judgement.
“Just 18 months ago Anas Sarwar was telling Scots that Keir Starmer was the best thing since sliced bread and now he’s turned on him it really is desperate stuff and tells Scots everything they need to know about this chancer.
“While John Swinney set out a positive vision for our country on Monday, Scottish Labour politicians were crying to the media that they wanted rid of the man they championed for the last 18 months it’s no wonder Starmer’s team has branded Scottish Labour idiots.
“Keir Starmer has been a disaster for Scotland so it’s little surprise his party in Scotland is polling fourth, but this desperate attack on Starmer won’t wash with Scots who saw Anas Sarwar bend over backwards to defend every rank decision his London Labour boss made over the past 18 months.
“Only the SNP will put Scotland’s interests first at every turn and through a fresh start with independence we can start the path to a wealthier and fairer Scotland only a vote for the SNP in May can secure that future.”
With the Scottish election fast approaching, the bitter exchanges underline growing tensions between Labour’s UK leadership and its Scottish wing.
As parties position themselves for May, Labour’s internal conflict risks overshadowing its message to voters and reinforcing doubts about whether it is focused on governing or consumed by its own divisions.
