LABOUR’S RAIL HYPOCRISY LAID BARE BY FORMER FIRST MINISTER

LABOUR’S RAIL HYPOCRISY LAID BARE BY FORMER FIRST MINISTER

JACK McCONNELL EXPRESSES CONCERN FOR MOTHERWELL CONNECTION

Commenting after First Minister’s question today (Thursday) where the former Labour First Minister, Jack McConnell, expressed concerns about the future of the Motherwell stop on the intercity links between Scotland and London, Central Scotland SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said his remarks blew apart the Labour party’s claims that Scotland’s intercity links were not under threat from the UK Department of Transport.

During First Minister’s Questions Jack McConnell told the chamber that the trains which stop at Motherwell provide a "vital service" for people outwith Glasgow and Edinburgh travelling to London, and he called for support in lobbying to ensure that the Motherwell stop continues on the service.

Commenting on the former First Minister’s intervention Ms Fabiani said:

“Jack McConnell’s intervention today just drives a coach and horse through Labour’s claims that there is no threat to the intercity rail services to and from Scotland.

“It is becoming clearer what the UK Labour government’s plans are but they are running scared of admitting them because of today’s by-election.

“Their secret plan to hit Glasgow’s link to London was being concealed until after the election. Now with Jack McConnell expressing concern it is apparent that they have been trying to hide it from not only people in Glasgow but other parts of Scotland.

“They deny the plans existed, despite it being clear to train operators and passenger groups that they do.

“It’s about time the London Labour transport Minister stopped his dissembling and made clear these plans.”