DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL VICTIM OF LABOUR SELF-PRESERVATION.

DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL VICTIM OF LABOUR SELF-PRESERVATION.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP has expressed dismay after Labour MPs voted to deny the country a chance to have its say in an immediate election. The SNP and Plaid Cymru dissolution motion was supported by all opposition parties in the Commons, with only Labour voting against calls for an election. Mr Robertson said: “Gordon Brown talks about democratic renewal and in the same breath orders Labour MPs to deny the country an immediate opportunity to renew authority and confidence in parliament.

"Labour’s case against an election has nothing to do with the need to pursue reform or to manage the economy, it is pure, naked self-preservation in the wake of their disastrous performance in the European and local elections.

“Instead of submitting to the ballot box Gordon Brown is barricading himself in Downing Street.

“The case for going to the country remains every bit as strong, and these Labour MPs have only won a stay of execution before Gordon Brown runs out of time and the public can finally have their say on Labour’s record.”