ANAS Sarwar has been accused of “dancing to the same tune” as Nigel Farage after abandoning support for key European alignment policies.
In a significant reversal of his previous positions on Brexit, the Scottish Labour leader this week told Glad Radio: “We will not rejoin the single market or the customs union.”
After he was elected Scottish Labour leader in 2021, Sarwar diverged slightly from his Westminster boss’s position on Brexit, arguing for “greater alignment around the single market and customs union”.
This was itself a climbdown from his earlier stance, having previously argued that Britain must remain a member of the single market and customs union.
Writing in 2017, Sarwar said: “Leaving the European single market could reduce Scotland’s gross domestic product by £11 billion a year by 2030, with the loss of 80,000 jobs over the course of a decade.
“That’s why, under my leadership, we will support permanently remaining in the single market and the customs union. Not just access, but membership – to ensure the people of Britain still have a say.
“This is the only way to tackle austerity, protect jobs, and defend our rights.”
SNP MSP George Adam (below) said Sarwar’s shifting stances showed he was putting “party over country” in spite of his past pledges to stand up to Keir Starmer.
Adam said: “He has given in to Westminster party bosses rather than standing up for Scotland.
“This is the same Anas Sarwar who said remaining in the single market was essential to end austerity. Now he’s signed up to a Tory Brexit plan that will harm Scottish workers and businesses for generations.
“Anas Sarwar, Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage are all dancing to the same tune.”
He added: “Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, and the SNP, unlike Labour, has consistently fought for Scotland’s place in Europe.
“The SNP remains clear that rejoining the European single market and customs union is essential to repairing the damage of Brexit, and protecting Scotland’s economy.”
Researchers from the London School of Economics in December found that Brexit had cost the UK economy £27 billion in the first two years – with British exports to the EU falling by 6.4% and imports by 3.1%.
UK Labour have repeatedly ruled out re-joining the single market and customs union – though are seeking closer ties with Brussels, with Starmer insisting that he can get a better deal than the Tories did.
Speaking before a meeting with EU leaders in February, Starmer said that Brexit was “settled” but said he wanted to build a “closer relationship on defence and security, on energy, on trade and our economy”.
A Scottish Labour spokesperson said: "The SNP is in no position to lecture anyone on economic growth given its own record of dismal growth and reckless financial incompetence.
“The SNP government has wasted billions of pounds of taxpayer money, handed its own ministers a £20,000 pay rise for their failure and forced Scottish taxpayers to foot the bill through higher income tax.
“Labour is resetting the relationship with the EU and working to boost growth and create jobs across the country.”
