The Scottish Labour Party had already embarked upon a summer review of its prospects and plans, following a miserable performance in the Holyrood elections. This week, that exercise got decidedly real with the resignation of Anas Sarwar and his elevation to a Ministerial role in the UK Government, accompanied by a peerage.

Yes, a seat in Westminster’s Upper House - which he previously reviled as having “no place in the 21st century.” Tracking internal party responses to that decision has generated comments which could not be printed in a family publication like this. They range from fury to incredulity to amazement that someone could act so shamelessly. The politest description was “chancer”.

For myself, I simply ask that we might be spared the sanctimony which infused Mr Sarwar’s statement. The talk of humility. The determination to serve the public in a new guise. Gie us peace. This is an opportunity for self-advancement – and a chance to escape the penury of leading a desperately diminished party following a sharp electoral reverse.

Since May 7, Anas Sarwar has looked and sounded jaded and ill at ease. Given that, I do not blame him personally for grasping the opportunity tendered by Andy Burnham. I hope he thrives and stimulates UK trade. But spare us the platitudes. In particular, spare us the evasive piffle about the House of Lords. The Prime Minister has deployed patronage to devise a new role for the Scottish Labour leader in an unelected chamber which Labour customarily decries. As successive Prime Ministers have done with individuals they wished either to reward or to sideline. That decidedly useful power is also why successive Labour Prime Ministers have talked tough about the Upper House........

© Herald Scotland