SARWAR'S WORST FEAR IS THAT HE WILL BE

ANALYSIS PAUL HUTCHEON

- BY PAUL HUTCHEON

LABOUR'S annihilation in the Caerphilly by-election will send a shiver down the spine of Scottish party leader Anas Sarwar.

Party sources fear a version of this result in Wales - Plaid Cymru soaring to victory and Reform UK storming to second - will be repeated at the Holyrood election.

Polls show Reform is within touching distance of Scottish Labour and John Swinney is on the cusp of a straightforward win.

A difficult UK Budget, where income tax rises now appear to be on the table, could trigger another fall in support for Labour north of the Border.