According to the Scottish Secretary, Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, can maintain a working relationship with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, even after calling for his resignation.

Douglas Alexander characterized the disagreement between Sarwar and Starmer as a "sincere and genuine" difference of opinion, emphasizing that their attention is now on the upcoming Holyrood election in May.

On Monday, Anas Sarwar made a notable statement, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current situation in Downing Street and citing the numerous mistakes made by the government's leadership.

In response to calls for his resignation, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his commitment to staying in office, telling Labour MPs that he has emerged victorious from every challenge he has faced.

Following Anas Sarwar's public criticism of the prime minister, several senior Labour figures have come forward to express their support for Keir Starmer.

Following discussions with Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer the previous evening, Scottish Secretary Alexander noted a shared commitment to collaboration.

In an interview with BBC's Radio Scotland Breakfast, Alexander described Sarwar and Starmer as individuals with firmly held convictions, yet capable of maintaining professional relationships without holding personal grudges.

Alexander stated that the prime minister remains resolute in his support for Anas Sarwar as the first minister of Scotland.

When questioned about the prime minister's prospects of remaining in office by the end of the year, Alexander affirmed his confidence in Starmer's continued leadership.

Alexander expressed his backing for the prime minister, acknowledging that lessons must be learned from the first 18 months in office and that adjustments are necessary to improve the government's approach.

A candid and open discussion took place yesterday, characterized by a marked difference of opinion, which was subsequently followed by a thorough exchange of viewpoints.

By yesterday evening, the overall response from party members was one of readiness to move forward and refocus on their work.

Alexander acknowledged that the Labour government could have presented its narrative more effectively, and while acknowledging that errors had occurred, he noted that making mistakes is an inherent part of the human experience.

Following a decisive win in Scotland during the 2024 general election, Scottish Labour had initially been optimistic about its prospects in the upcoming Holyrood election, scheduled for May.

Alexander, who serves as co-chair of the party's election campaign, conceded that recent polling data presented a challenging outlook, with Labour currently trailing behind Reform in third place.

In an effort to change the dynamic, Sarwar made a significant move by urging the prime minister to step down.

During a Monday press conference, Sarwar expressed disapproval of Peter Mandelson's potential appointment as UK ambassador to the US, citing Mandelson's connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

Sarwar described his decision to call for the prime minister's resignation as difficult and painful, noting that while the prime minister is a decent individual, his primary allegiance lies with Scotland.

As the election approaches, Sarwar stated that he must determine his limits and decide what he is willing to accept and what he will no longer tolerate.

Sarwar also observed that the UK government's accomplishments have been overshadowed by a series of scandals.

Despite Sarwar's comments, key Labour officials reaffirmed their commitment to the prime minister, demonstrating a unified front.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, noted that the public had entrusted Keir with a significant mandate just 18 months prior, emphasizing that the expectation is for the party to deliver on its promises.

Additionally, Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, and Angela Rayner, the former Labour deputy leader, both of whom have been mentioned as potential contenders for the leadership, expressed their support for the prime minister.

During a gathering with Labour MPs on Monday evening, Starmer addressed the criticism he has faced, stating, "Throughout my career, I have encountered opposition, and that remains the case today."

Starmer further emphasized his dedication to his role, saying, "Having worked tirelessly to earn the opportunity to bring about change in our country, I am not willing to relinquish my mandate or abandon my responsibilities to the nation, nor do I intend to precipitate chaos, as has been the case in the past."

Brian Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, who faced a four-month suspension from the Labour party last year for defying the government, has expressed dissatisfaction with the prime minister's record, stating it has fallen short of expectations.

In an interview with Radio Scotland Breakfast, Leishman discussed Anas's stance, describing it as honest and transparent, and emphasizing that this approach should not be misconstrued as a mistake.

Leishman argued that the decision in question was in the best interest of Scotland, aligning with the views he has encountered during his conversations with constituents, and therefore constituted a prudent choice.

Leishman emphasized the need for the Labour government to introduce a comprehensive set of policies aimed at bringing about significant change to both Scottish and British society.

When asked if Keir Starmer is currently fulfilling this role, Leishman replied in the negative, suggesting that a change in leadership may be necessary to effect the desired transformation.

Anas Sarwar's suggestion that Keir Starmer should step down has exposed a significant rift in their political alliance with the prime minister.

Anas Sarwar has chosen not to retract his statement, likely because doing so would compromise his own reputation for honesty.

According to Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander, the incident was merely a "sincere and genuine disagreement" that both parties are willing to put behind them in order to focus on challenging the SNP.

In a recent interview on Radio Scotland Breakfast, Anas Sarwar presented a composed and conciliatory tone, aiming to alleviate tensions.

The frequency with which Anas Sarwar has been tasked with diffusing such situations in recent months is noteworthy and suggests a larger pattern.

Scottish Labour officials are concerned that a string of missteps and reversals under Starmer's leadership may be damaging their prospects in the upcoming Holyrood election.

Many within the party believe that Starmer's continued presence could hinder their ability to narrow the gap with the SNP, while Sarwar thinks that a change in leadership might provide an opportunity to shift the political landscape.

Regardless of the outcome, it appears that the turmoil in Downing Street will likely overshadow the Scottish campaign that Sarwar is trying to focus on.

The situation may lead to either questions about the feasibility of a working relationship between the two men if Sarwar becomes first minister, or the distraction of a leadership contest to replace Starmer if he is ousted in the near future.