LABOUR: OUT OF TOUCH ON COST OF LIVING AS SUPPORTERS DESERT THEM

LABOUR: OUT OF TOUCH ON COST OF LIVING AS SUPPORTERS DESERT THEM

FUEL & TRANSPORT COSTS DOMINATE HUSTINGS

With newspapers deserting Labour the SNP's election campaign co-ordinator, Stewart Hosie, seized on remarks by the Labour candidate for Dundee West at a hustings last night where he said he did not believe there was a fuel rip-off and suggested the introduction of congestion charges in Dundee.

At the Dundee Courier hustings in the Apex Hotel last night the Dundee West Labour candidate Jim McGovern was asked what could be done to stop the fuel rip-off he said he did not hold the belief there was a fuel rip-off. One audience member responded by saying, “I didn’t come here for a laugh.”

Mr McGovern then went on to suggest congestion charging for Dundee. A comment which was met with loud barracking from the audience.

Mr Hosie, who is also the Dundee East SNP candidate, said:

"This gaffe just shows out of touch Labour has become with the lives of ordinary people. Scotland's families, businesses and hauliers need champions and only the SNP has been consistent in its opposition to sky high fuel taxes.

"Only the SNP is offering a clear alternative to ever increasing fuel costs with a fair fuel regulator which is backed by industry leaders from hauliers, to taxi drivers, to farmers and fishermen.

"The high cost of fuel affects everyone taking money out of people’s pockets and adding to the cost of daily life at a difficult time.

“When the price at the pump goes up, the London government get more VAT. That's why a vote for the SNP is a vote to introduce a fair fuel regulator which is a real possibility in this election with a balanced parliament."