Scotland faces "huge challenges" says Anas Sarwar
The Scottish Labour leader has been taking your calls on the final leaders phone-in before Scots head to the polls on Thursday
Scottish Labour's Anas Sarwar claims we have major challenges that Parliament needs to focus on over the next five years.
He was the final leader from the main parties across the country to appear on the leaders phone-in programme on {{stationName2}} before Scots head to the polls on Thursday.
He said: "The SNP have major failures around the NHS and you only need to look at the mental health and cancer statistics to see that.
"We need to focus on closing the attainment gap too.
"The way we challenge them about these things is to focus on their record and expose it which will offer a credible opposition."
On refusing to work with the Scottish Conservatives
Caller Louise wanted to know why Mr Sarwar declined Douglas Ross' offer to work together to stop Indyref2 dominating the debate in the Scottish Parliament over the next five years.
Mr Sarwar replied: "Douglas Ross and the Tories are not asking for your second vote to save the union.
"They are asking for it to save their skin.
"The idea that they are making any kind of serious offer to work together is just simply not true.
"The suggestion that the Tories can help to deliver a recovery that works for everyone when they are the cause of these deep-seeded inequalities in our society is not credible."
On Indyref 2
Martin phoned into the programme to ask why the Scottish Labour party will not support another vote on Scotland's future in the United Kingdom even if an independence majority is elected into Holyrood.
Anas said: "I don't support independence or a referendum and that is the case that I am making in this election.
"We can choose to come through what has been the most hellish year of our lives and recover or we can choose to go back to the arguments we were having pre pandemic."
On getting a call from Strictly Come Dancing
It's the most important question on everyone's lips.
Has he had an invitation to appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing?
"I am told to expect a call which I am going to politely decline.
"There is only one king of Strictly in the Labour party and that is Ed Balls.
"I am not sure I would put my children through me dancing on television every Saturday night."