LABOUR MSPS MUST CONFIRM THEIR WESTMINSTER INTENTIONS

LABOUR MSPS MUST CONFIRM THEIR WESTMINSTER INTENTIONS

TOIL AND TROUBLE FOR GRAY - BAILLIE, BOYACK AND ALEXANDER CHALLENGED

Labour MSPs rumoured to be putting themselves forward for newly vacated
Westminster seats have been challenged to make their intentions clear.

There are reports in today’s press that three senior Labour MSPs – Jackie
Baillie, Sarah Boyack and Wendy Alexander - plan on trying to leave
Holyrood leader Iain Gray in the lurch by standing for Westminster seats
being abandoned by Labour MPs.

Two Labour MSPs have already put themselves forward for Westminster,
abandoning their Scottish Parliamentary constituencies and constituents
while they fight the Westminster campaign.

Calling on the three to make clear their commitment – to Brown or Gray –
SNP MP Angus MacNeil said:

“It seems Labour MPs are not the only ones heading for the exits as MSPs
try to escape Iain Gray’s leadership on the Westminster Express.

“Baillie, Boyack and Alexander must make their intentions clear. Will
they work for their constituents or create toil and trouble for Iain Gray
as they spend the next four months trying to work their way into
Westminster.

“With two MSPs already looking for a way out of Labour’s lacklustre
Scottish leadership any further moves will be nothing but a vote of no
confidence in Iain Gray.

“While the SNP is concentrating on working for constituents and
championing the concerns of people across Scotland there is one clear sign
from the latest Labour shenanigans – it is the fortunes of the London
Labour party not the concerns of their Scottish constituencies that lies
behind them.”

SNP CALL FOR INVESTIGATION INTO BENEFIT THAT BENEFITS NOONE

SNP CALL FOR INVESTIGATION INTO BENEFIT THAT BENEFITS NOONE

LABOUR’S ESA INCREASES MENTAL STRAIN

SNP work and pensions spokesman, John Mason MP, has called for an investigation into new benefit rules after reports people with serious mental health problems are inappropriately being told they are fit to work.

Scottish mental health charity, SAMH, and Citizens Advice Scotland have been “inundated” with appeals against the UK Government’s Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and claim sick and disabled clients are being “let down” by the ESA system. In one case a man with a history of mental illness attempted suicide after being told he had to return to work.

Commenting SNP work and pensions spokesman, John Mason MP, said:

“This Labour Government’s benefit reform has increased stress and pressure on vulnerable people. These are the very people who need society’s protection and it is utterly unacceptable that the system in place to help is heightening mental strain and anguish.

“From the start the DWP has been warned that it was going about these reforms in the wrong way and it is vulnerable people that are paying the price.

“It’s simply wrong that people with genuine disability and incapacity should face such harsh treatment. When done right, return-to-work initiatives could benefit both the economy and the worker. Crucially though, people should only return when they are ready and able to do so and only when correct support measures are available. This forced one-size-fits-all model clearly does not work.

“The Labour Government has approached these reforms in an utterly irresponsible manner. The DWP cares more about cutting the benefit bill than helping and supporting people back to work.

“We need an immediate investigation into the assessment process before the UK Government’s callous and ill-advised policy causes further harm.”

TORIES TRUE COLOURS EXPOSED IN DOUBLE-WHAMMY ATTACK

TORIES TRUE COLOURS EXPOSED IN DOUBLE-WHAMMY ATTACK

FISCAL AUTONOMY IS ONLY WAY FORWARD

The SNP has today called on the Tories to reject moves to slash Scotland’s
budget as it said that short of independence full fiscal autonomy was the
only acceptable alternative.

The Tories true colours have been exposed by an IPPR survey which shows a
majority of Tory MP’s want to cut Scotland’s budget, despite the UK
economy currently relying on Scotland’s oil revenues to stay afloat.

In a double whammy Tory MPs plans come on top of cuts already proposed by
David Cameron and others already in place under Labour.

The most recent economic assessments show that over the last three years
for which figures are available Scotland ran a £2.3 billion surplus whilst
the UK has run a £24 billion deficit.

SNP Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie MP said:

“It comes as no surprise that Tory MPs have no respect for Scotland. This
is the same old anti-Scottish Tory attitude that rears its head on a
regular basis.

“No matter what they pretend in Scotland it is clear the Conservatives
plan significant cuts to Scotland’s budget.

“The upcoming General Election is a chance for Scots voters to break out
of the phoney war between Labour cuts and Tory cuts and back candidates
that will fight against this slash and burn approach to Scotland’s
economy.

“As recent analysis of official figrues shows Scotland ran a £2.3 billion
surplus in the three years to 2007-08 while the UK added another £24
billion to it’s deficit.

“And the Treasury themselves have admitted that increasing Scottish oil
revenues are expected to keep the UK economy afloat in the coming years.

“Short of independence the only acceptable alternative is full fiscal
autonomy, giving Scotland full rights and responsibilities over all fiscal
decisions and ensuring it is not the anti-Scottish attitude of Cameron’s
Tories that decides Scotland’s economic fate.”

MORE MPS DESERT BROWN AHEAD OF ELECTION

MORE MPS DESERT BROWN AHEAD OF ELECTION

LABOUR PUT CASHING IN BEFORE CONSTITUENTS

Constituencies across the country are being abandoned by Labour MPs as
they put their own careers before the needs of their constituents.

Commenting on Edinburgh MP Nigel Griffiths decision which follows the
retirement of John McFall and decisions by the likes of John Reid and Adam
Ingram to stick to their private sector consultancies instead of their
party SNP MP Angus MacNeil said:

“With Nigel Griffiths adding his departure to those of other MPs it is
clear Labour MPs are desperate to get off Brown’s sinking ship.

"Any way you look at this the Labour Party is in a bad way and experienced
MPs are backing away from Brown as fast as they can, cashing in with
consultancies and private sector contracts instead of staying to support
their constituents.

“The refusal of Labour MPs to stand up and fight for their constituents
exposes the phoney war being fought between Labour and the Tories.

“This election shouldn’t be about who should be prime minister but who
will stick up for voters in constituencies across the country. With
Labour MPs planning a mass exodus it is clear it won’t be them.

“In contrast the SNP has candidates lined up across the country who are
working for all those who need them – not walking away when the going gets
tough.”