Anas Sarwar claims he 'will be first minister' of Scotland next year

ANAS Sarwar has claimed he “will be first minister” next year – despite a poll putting Scottish Labour’s worst-ever Holyrood election in 2026.

The Scottish Labour leader took a defiant stance when confronted about his dismal polling numbers, saying that he believed pollsters would have “egg on their face” come next May.

And speaking ahead of his party’s conference in Glasgow this weekend, Sarwar told the Scottish Sun it was “childish” to claim he took orders from Labour leader Keir Starmer (below).

Sarwar said: “I’m focused on what I need to do to win the election in May 2026. And I believe I will be First Minister in May 2026.”

He added: “Pollsters may be making predictions now. I look forward to them having an egg on their face in May 2026, when I, with the people of Scotland, start the new direction for our country.”

It comes after a poll showed that just 18% of Scottish voters planned to back Sarwar’s party in the 2026 Holyrood election.

Scottish Labour would be tied for third place with the Tories with just 18 MSPs each, according to The Sunday Times poll.

Sarwar said he was “confident” voters would be won over when they “compare our programme for a new direction with the SNP’s record”.

The poll predicted the Scottish Parliament was on course for another pro-independence majority, with the SNP projected to win 55 seats and the Greens 10.

Asked about accusations he was being bossed around by the Prime Minister, Sarwar said: “Well, my critics might be children, but actually I live in the real world.

“If the SNP want to play childish games, it’s up to them.”

(Image: PA)

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart (above) told The Scottish Sun: “He is attempting to claim he has influence over the Prime Minister when it is blindingly obvious to all who is pulling the strings in the Labour Party.

“Whether it be on compensation for Waspi women, winter fuel payments for pensioners or the future of Grangemouth – Sarwar has no influence over his London bosses.

“Recent opinion polls show that voters have already seen through Anas Sarwar’s broken promises.”