Sarwar's FM dream is lying in shreds

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves' spending cuts may have shredded Anas Sarwar's chances of becoming the next first minister.

- ANALYSIS PAUL HUTCHEON

Labour's initial plan was to front-load the pain in the early months of Keir Starmer winning power.

His Government would make a dash for growth and showcase the positive changes they had made ahead of the 2026 poll.

Reeves' latest economic statement confirms this strategy is dead. Her spring statement was good news for First Minister John Swinney and another sore one for Sarwar.

Balancing the books on the backs of the disabled is not the change Scots voted for last year.

The seeds of the Labour Government's early difficulties in office were sown ahead of the general election.

Reeves ruled out rises to key taxes and promised to rein in borrowing as part of stringent "fiscal rules" that are now causing her party grief and anguish to vulnerable people.

She believed strong economic growth would be the magic pill for the country, but the medicine has yet to arrive.