LABOUR VOTE TO CLOSE DOWN RENFREW FERRY

LABOUR VOTE TO CLOSE DOWN RENFREW FERRY

LABOUR HYPOCRISY IN FACE OF LONDON GOVERNMENT CUTS

SNP MSPs have today condemned Labour for hypocrisy after their councillors voted to close down the Renfrew Ferry in a vote taken today by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport – a body dominated by Labour councillors.

The decision - by 14 votes to five with all SNP councillors voting against closure - means that the two passenger-only ferries operating on the route, will finish their service at the end of March.

The 29 member board has 20 elected councillors on it, 12 of whom are Labour including the Chair and two vice chairs.

The SNP MSPs also highlighted Labour hypocrisy since their MPs were trying to mislead by claiming it was the fault of the Scottish Government despite their councillors voting to close down the ferry and councils receiving record levels of funding from the SNP administration.

Commenting Glasgow MSP Bill Kidd said:

“There can be no doubt that the fate of the Renfrew Ferry lay in Labour’s hands and they voted to close it.

“Their councils and councillors dominate Strathclyde Passenger Transport and today’s vote exposes the hypocrisy of their MPs and MSPs who were criticising the proposed closure.

“There is no reason for this supposed shortfall. Council’s have received more funding than ever from the Scottish Government –with Glasgow receiving more than any other mainland council. And this at a time when Labour are cutting Scotland’s budget by over £800 million.

West of Scotland MSP Bill Wilson challenged Labour MPs who are trying to dodge responsibility for SPT services to face up to their party’s responsibilities. He said:

“It seems Labour at every level of government have problems facing up to the financial future they have created for this country. They are deliberately trying to mislead people whilst voting for unwarranted cuts.

“With Labour building record debts for the UK which are already leading to savage cuts it is the Labour Chancellor and the spending priorities of Labour councils these redundant MPs should be questioning.

“SPT is effectively run by Labour – this was their decision and their responsibility.

"The Renfrew ferry is a vital transport link for Renfrewshire, cutting this ferry shows the contempt Labour councillors hold for the transport needs of Renfrewshire.”