GUARDIAN INTERVIEW - PM MUST FACE UP TO REALITY AND CALL A GENERAL ELECTION.

GUARDIAN INTERVIEW - PM MUST FACE UP TO REALITY AND CALL A GENERAL ELECTION.

In response to comments made by Prime Minister Gordon Brown in an interview in today’s Guardian – that he “could walk away tomorrow” - SNP Westminster Chief Whip Stewart Hosie MP said now was not the time for introspection but for Labour to face up to reality and call a General Election.

Commenting, Mr Hosie said:

“Instead of this introspection, the Prime Minister should face up to reality and call an immediate General Election.

“The UK Labour Government is out of ideas. Mr Brown himself acknowledges that there is no time to think about strategy as he limps from one disaster to another. Just this week we saw the UK Government shelve the launch of its ‘next steps’ recovery package because they could not think of any measures to put in it. Contrast this with the Scottish Government which published an updated recovery plan supporting 15,000 jobs, and announced £3m investment in 3,000 training places.

“And voters recognise this track record of SNP delivery. Not only are the SNP and Alex Salmond enjoying soaring poll ratings, the party surged ahead in the European Elections with over 29% of the vote – the only mainstream party to see its vote share increase. And in the Inverclyde by-election on Thursday, the SNP won with a 13% swing from Labour.

“It is time to let the people have their say. In Scotland, the choice is clear: between the failed, discredited Labour Party who want to cut Scottish spending by £500m cuts in the teeth of a recession, the Tories who would inflict the same cuts with no mandate to govern in Scotland - or people can vote SNP and elect a block on 20 SNP MPs committed to fighting for Scotland.”

More information.

The European Election results showed the SNP had won the popular vote in 22 out of Scotland's 32 council areas, capturing key areas including Edinburgh, Dundee, Stirling and South Lanarkshire. The SNP would win 27 seats if this result was repeated at a Westminster election.

On Thursday, the SNP has enjoyed a massive 13% swing to the party from Labour in the Inverclyde South West by-election – less than two weeks after the SNP won the area in the popular vote for the European elections – with the election of Innes Nelson as the new SNP councillor for the seat.