Anas Sarwar Slams John Swinney: Calls Him ‘Captain of the Titanic’ Over NHS Failures

Under the leadership of the First Minister, the NHS is struggling to survive, claims Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Anas Sarwar has criticized John Swinney by calling him the “captain of the Titanic,” pointing to the dire state of the NHS in Scotland.

According to the Scottish Labour leader, the national health service is barely keeping afloat on the First Minister’s watch.

During a session of First Minister’s Questions on Thursday, Sarwar outlined multiple issues: “Just this week, we’ve seen the lowest levels of housebuilding since 2012, rising instances of sexual violence and domestic abuse, record high delayed discharges, nearly one in three Scots resorting to private care due to NHS delays, and the worst ever cancer treatment waiting times.”

“Has the man who claimed he would stabilize the ship now become the captain of the Titanic?” he added.

In response, Swinney pointed out that the Scottish Government has increased the housing budget and that Scotland has constructed more affordable homes than England.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer to discuss benefit cuts with Labour rebelsREAD MORE: Simple concessions on benefit cuts insufficient, asserts Scots Labour MP

Swinney also mentioned that the increase in reports of sexual crimes is due to more victims coming forward, enabled by the government’s commitment to prosecuting such offenses.

Sarwar continued, “The reality is that under John Swinney and the SNP, things are not improving and the Scottish people can see it.

“The NHS is on life support under John Swinney’s management, and the Scottish public is suffering because of his failures.”

He also highlighted the impact of NHS delays forcing many Scots to seek private treatment.

“This is the cost the Scots are bearing due to SNP’s failures. And the situation has deteriorated to the point where Dr. Iain Kennedy from the BMA has remarked that the NHS is ‘dying before our eyes,'” Sarwar stated.

“Isn’t this a severe condemnation of John Swinney and the SNP, who are letting our NHS collapse?” he questioned.

Swinney defended his position, stating, “The government is ensuring that the NHS is equipped with the necessary capacity and resources to meet the public’s needs and expectations.”

Sarwar retorted, “This is a failing First Minister leading a failing SNP Government. John Swinney personally took on the responsibility to address the crisis in Scotland’s NHS, and yet, things continue to worsen.

“Waiting lists are longer, thousands more Scots are driven to seek private care, and cancer waiting times are at their all-time worst.”

“Moreover, as the crisis in our NHS deepens, where was the Health Secretary this week? In Japan, talking about digital healthcare while failing to manage an NHS app at home.”

“And while he was abroad, we heard a rare moment of honesty from Public Health Minister Jenni Minto during an interview with STV.

“When queried about the unprecedented cancer waiting times, she admitted, ‘Are people losing their lives due to later diagnosis? – Yes, they may well be.’”

“An SNP minister acknowledging that their failures are now costing lives,” Sarwar added.

“John Swinney must be held accountable by the families who are dealing with the heartbreak of losing loved ones too soon,” he concluded.

Swinney responded, “The Government is fully committed to providing services that meet the needs of individuals.”