LABOUR LEADER CHALLENGED TO SORRY FOR LABOUR-TORY ALLIANCES?

LABOUR LEADER CHALLENGED TO SORRY FOR LABOUR-TORY ALLIANCES?

TRIDENT, IRAQ, COUNCIL TAX, OPPOSITION TO REFERENDUM,

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson has written to Iain Gray calling on him to apologise for the Labour's alliances with the Tories over issues such as going to war in Iraq and wasting billions on Trident.

The Labour MSP was also accused of blundering by conniving with the Tories over attempting to exclude the SNP from a UK-wide election leaders' debate.

This follows reports about Lord Mandelson saying he would have no qualms about continuing his career under a Tory government and the current Labour UK Energy Secretary, and someone tipped to succeed Gordon Brown as Labour leader, Ed Miliband, saying there are no “big differences” between Labour and the Tories.

Major issues where Labour has allied with the Tories in opposition to opinion in Scotland include:

* Voting for the illegal war in Iraq

* Wasting billions on Trident and its replacement despite warnings that the money should be spent on front line services

* Voting to keep the Council Tax which they both raised by 100% over 10 years

* Opposing the Scottish people having their say in a referendum

Commenting Mr Gibson said:

"Iain Gray must think voters are stupid if he thinks they won't remember Gordon Brown's invite to Margaret Thatcher for tea at No. 10, or how Labour allied with the Tories to take us into an illegal war in Iraq.

"Iain Gray should apologise to the people of Scotland for Labour's alliances with the Tories on Trident, Iraq, Council Tax, and opposition to a referendum.

"And how about his Labour colleagues in East Dunbartonshire, South Lanarkshire and Falkirk councils who are in formal coalitions with the Tories?

"People in Scotland remember the 1980s. We remember how the Labour Party failed to protect Scotland from a London Tory government cutting public spending and creating unemployment. This, despite Labour having a majority of MPs in Scotland during that period.

"And Labour want to go down that road again as they impose £500 million of cuts in Scotland's budget.

"Scotland can't trust the London parties - that's why we need a block of SNP MPs to fight for Scottish interests."