Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who was among the first senior party figures to publicly call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign, has taken up a role in the new Government being formed by Andy Burnham following Starmer's exit as prime minister. The move underscores how quickly Labour's internal politics have shifted since the change of leadership, with a figure who campaigned openly against Starmer now being drawn into his successor's administration, prompting questions about loyalty, reward and consistency within the party.

Sarwar's appointment comes amid a broader and often chaotic transition: Burnham has already dropped a pledge to end the freeze on tax thresholds while committing £450 million to cap bus fares at £2, drawing accusations of uncosted promises and provoking the first signs of rebellion from a Starmer loyalist he sacked. Meanwhile, Starmer has been pictured at a pub with Rachel Reeves as aides marked his departure wearing "Sparkle with Starmer" T-shirts, and Burnham has set up a "No10 North" office in Manchester, insisting it is "not a gimmick" even though a permanent northern base for government is not due to open until 2032.