By Gina Davidson

When Keir Starmer was campaigning in the 2024 General Election alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, he said the route to power ran through Scotland.

Sixteen months on, could the route to his departure from No10 also take the same path?

Labour’s recent relationship with Scotland has been nothing if not stormy. Look at the General Election results since 2015 for proof. Down to one MP (from 41), up to seven, back to one, and then a revival, returning 37 MPs, as the party returned to government in Westminster.

But right now, with a Holyrood election dead ahead, the polls are once again telling a sorry tale for Labour. This election was to be Labour’s big chance in Scotland, but since Starmer’s victory, Sarwar has seen his own chances of success seemingly slip away.

Winter fuel payment cuts to pensioners, the closure of Grangemouth refinery, the failure to cut fuel bills across the board or to compensate the Waspi women, and the decision not to lift the two-child cap at the first Labour budget, all have added to Sarwar’s woes.

So much so........

© LBC