FIRST MINISTER LAUNCHES BY-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

FIRST MINISTER LAUNCHES BY-ELECTION CAMPAIGN

PEOPLE’S MESSAGE WILL SHAKE LABOUR ESTABLISHMENT TO ITS CORE

TWO YEARS OF SNP DELIVERY AGAINST 74 YEARS OF LABOUR NEGLECT

Scottish National Party Leader and First Minister Alex Salmond today [Wednesday] joined SNP candidate David Kerr in Glasgow North East to launch the party's by-election campaign.

The First Minister and Mr Kerr visited the Milton Community Campus - a state-of-the-art community centre built following pressure from the local community and the SNP in a successful local by-election in 2006.

The SNP campaign will focus on the SNP's record of delivery in Glasgow and across Scotland. It will demonstrate that Glasgow North East has what it takes to deliver a message that will shake the Labour establishment in the City Council and Westminster to its core, and end Labour's 74 years of neglect.

Launching the campaign, Mr Salmond said:

"This by-election is a two-horse race between the SNP and Labour - and David Kerr's got what it takes to win and end decades of Labour neglect.

"The by-election will be a contrast between two years of an SNP Government supporting people and investing in jobs - and 74 years of Labour failing to protect this community.

"The SNP are doing everything we can to help people through the tough times: freezing council tax, phasing out prescription charges and cutting small business rates.

"The determination of local people and SNP success in a council by-election delivered a new community centre in this area - in the teeth of Labour Council opposition. That demonstrates what the SNP and local people can achieve right across the constituency.

"While the SNP Government are putting record funding into Glasgow, Labour are closing schools in this community, increasing class sizes, and slashing teacher numbers. Labour in Glasgow are making all the wrong choices for local people.

“This will be a brammer of a by-election – the people of Glasgow North East have got what it takes to send a message that will shake the Labour establishment in the Council and Westminster to its core.

"And in this by-election, David Kerr will show he’s got what it takes to fight for a fair deal for Glasgow North East - not Labour’s raw deal."

SNP candidate David Kerr said:

"We've got what it takes to see Glasgow North East flourish.

"After 74 years of Labour neglect and complacency, it’s time for a stronger voice for this constituency, and effective local representation.

"It’s time for voters to have an MP who will speak up for them in Westminster and in Glasgow. Who will stand by them when the council ignores them, and who will put this area at the centre of Scottish and UK politics - not stuck on the sidelines. That is my commitment to this constituency.

"Generations of my family have come from this part of Glasgow, and I will be working hard for every vote to win the honour of representing Glasgow North East.

"In the coming weeks, many people will focus on the problem facing in this area. They are very real and very severe, but I also want to focus on the opportunities. Glasgow North East needs a fresh start."