SPT LEADERSHIP MUST HAVE CROSS-PARTY NOT LABOUR PARTY CONTROL

SPT LEADERSHIP MUST HAVE CROSS-PARTY NOT LABOUR PARTY CONTROL

SNP MOVES TO REFORM SPT WITH SHARED LEADERSHIP ROLES

In light of the ongoing revelations and resignations by leading Labour
figures of Strathclyde Public Transport, local SNP representatives
from across the area have written to the Scottish Transport Minister
Stewart Stevenson seeking his support for the top two positions to be
wrested from the control of the Labour party.

The SNP representatives believe the current ructions are an
opportunity for reform and improvement of the management of SPT which
would see leadership of its board shared with the positions of Chair
and Vice Chair held by members of different parties as happens within
COSLA.

Commenting on the letter SNP Glasgow Councillor Graeme Hendry, who
worked to expose some of the problems within SPT, said:

“It is important that we now see real reform of SPT and that starts at
the top which Labour appears to believe is their right to fully
control.

“It's time for real openness and accountability at the top of SPT with
a chair and vice chairs from different parties and different
authorities.

"That is a system that works in COSLA, and there is no reason why SPT
cannot do the same.

"Labour's days of absolute control of institutions across Scotland are
over but the situation at SPT is a reminder of how they haven't given
up retaining that control.

“It is a Labour leadership which has presided over the current mess SPT is in.

“The SPT board does not meet until next week but Labour have already
anointed a chairman and are no doubt currently picking their chosen
deputy. That is the same old style Labour politics that got SPT into
this mess.

"It is time for real reform, a clear out of SPT and some democratic
cross-party balance."

Also commenting on today's revelations in the Sunday Times that the
police have been contacted in connection with the expenses claims
Councillor Graeme Hendry said:

"It would be galling to find out taxpayers money has been used to
allow anyone from SPT to live it up while at Manchester or on any
other trip.

"If it does turn out that claims such as the lunch at San Carlo are
not related to work, they must be repaid and questions need to be
asked about why they were claimed in the first place."