EMBARRASSMENT FOR BROWN AS LABOUR CANDIDATE OPPOSES GOVERNMENT POLICIES

EMBARRASSMENT FOR BROWN AS LABOUR CANDIDATE OPPOSES GOVERNMENT POLICIES

'NOTHING MORE THAN LIP SERVICE'

The SNP have today (Wednesday) slammed Labour candidate in the Glasgow
North East by-election for paying lip service to constituents after he
failed to stand up for the unpopular policies of the UK Labour Government.

At a hustings, hosted by the non-affiliated PCS, the Labour candidate said:

-He supported the Royal Mail strike - the UK Labour Government oppose it.
-He opposed privatisation of Royal Mail - the UK Labour Government
attempted to sell off part of Royal Mail.
-He opposed planned changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme - the
UK Labour Government introduced it.
-He described it as "critical to restore the link between pensions and
earnings" - the UK Government have dragged their heels over this for 12
years.
-He called for more investment in regeneration - as the UK Government
refused to unlock the £165m of Barnet consequentials generated by building
around the London 2012 Olympics.

The Labour candidate also described Glasgow's Labour Council's policy of
schools closures as "the wrong decision" despite snubbing local parents
during the campaign.

Commenting, SNP MSP Bob Doris said:

"If the Prime Minister dares to show his face in Glasgow North East, the
Labour candidate will have some serious explaining to do to his boss.

"When faced with tough questions on issues which actually matter to local
people, Labour's shaky campaign of fears and smears crumbled and the
Labour candidate's reaction was oppose his own government on six separate
occasions. If he doesn't back Brown, how can he expect local voters to
back Labour?

"The Labour candidate was repeatedly heckled by local people let down by
12 years of broken promises by the UK Labour Government and 90 minutes of
lip service by the Labour candidate.

"People want an MP they can trust to stand up for their interests - not a
politician who opposes his Government in Glasgow but props it up in
London.

"Only the SNP are taking hard decisions and focusing on policies which
deliver for Scotland. After 74 years in power, Labour have nothing left to
offer the people of Glasgow North East.

"Sending another Labour MP to Westminster will make no difference to the
people of Glasgow North East. Only David Kerr and the SNP have what it
takes to speak up for Scotland and speak up for Glasgow North East."