LABOUR IN TURMOIL AS PURCELL ECLIPSES GRAY’S AUTHORITY

LABOUR IN TURMOIL AS PURCELL ECLIPSES GRAY’S AUTHORITY

Commenting on the story in today’s Times which reveals deep divisions in Labour over the cancellation of GARL with Labour politicians from Glasgow and outside Glasgow at loggerheads, Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris said it exposed the hypocrisy at the heart of Labour’s tactics.

According to the report Iain Gray said that he did not regard GARL as a “deal-breaker” in deciding whether Labour MSPs will vote for the Scottish Government's Budget. This was criticised by Labour insiders at Glasgow City Council who accused him of being “Edinburgh-orientated”. However then Iain Gray’s decision changed to GARL being “potentially a deal-breaker”.

Commenting on the turmoil within the Labour ranks Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris said:

“This astonishing turmoil demonstrates the hypocrisy of Labour’s position, and questions the authority of Iain Gray as Holyrood leader.

“Due to Westminster's cuts, the Scottish Government was right to cancel GARL and invest in Fastlink, as the cost overruns would have affected vital spending in other areas – not least in Glasgow as Scotland’s biggest city.

“The Scottish Government published a draft Budget, and Labour now have every opportunity to propose costed alternatives.

"Steven Purcell has led Labour’s response to the Budget – not Iain Gray or Andy Kerr – and the ball is now firmly in their court.

"If their Holyrood leadership fail to propose reinstating GARL in Budget amendments and explain what they would cut to pay for it, Labour will be exposed as guilty of the most disgraceful hypocrisy in Glasgow, and Steven Purcell won’t have a leg to stand on.

"If they do try to reinstate GARL, they will have to propose cuts all over Scotland, including alternative cuts to much better projects in Glasgow.

"The SNP Government is investing in a range of transport projects to benefit people in every part of Glasgow – including Fastlink – while Labour are just posturing.

"Not for the first time, Steven Purcell has eclipsed Iain Gray, leaving Labour in an impossible position.”
“And today’s very welcome statement from the Commonwealth Games Federation confirming that the GARL decision has no implications for a fantastic Glasgow Games in 2014 - not least because of the huge investment the Scottish Government are making in transport and infrastructure across the City - also exposes Labour's scaremongering.”