Commenting after the Labour party's belated launch in Glasgow East today (Tuesday) where the Labour candidate said she was "not frightened of the verdict of the Scottish people" when asked about an independence referendum despite her campaign manager David Cairns saying she was against a referendum on Newsnight, SNP MSP Bob Doris said it just exposed how confusing and farcical Labour's campaign had become.

Mr Doris said: "Labour's campaign has descended further into farce. Last night we had David Cairns saying Margaret Curran was not in favour of a referendum. Today the Labour candidate is saying she isn't frightened of the verdict of the Scottish people.

"It is now obvious the different positions between Labour at Holyrood and Labour at Westminster make the Labour candidate's stance ridiculous and untenable.

"With Labour MSPs holding a different policy on a referendum from their party at Westminster - as well as on a range of other issues - Margaret Curran can't possibly do both jobs?

"How can she credibly hold two different political positions at the same time?

"Local voters are already questioning why on earth they should send their Holyrood MSP to Westminster. Offering one parliamentarian for the price of two with opposing policy positions is making no sense to the people of Glasgow East.

"It just shows how out of touch Labour are with the people of Glasgow and Scotland. They think they can take them for granted.

"In contrast John Mason is the first choice for the SNP. He is local, hard working and will speak up for the East End as a full-time MP. He is committed to the East End; not to saving Gordon Brown's tattered reputation."

Notes:

A. Being asked about an independence referendum today the Labour candidate said:

"I am not frightened of the verdict of the Scottish people."

However on Newsnight the following exchange between Jeremy Paxman and David Cairns took place:

Jeremy Paxman: Is she in favour of an early referendum on independence?

David Cairns: No I don't think that she is...

B. Policy differences between Labour at Holyrood and Westminster:

1. Attendance Allowance for Free Personal Care

As Labour's health spokesman the Labour candidate said she fully accepted the recommendations of the Sutherland Report which said the UK Government should not have withdrawn attendance allowance.

Yet the Westminster Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, has said he does not want to give this money to Scotland.

Which position does she now support? The one she articulated or Alistair Darling's?

2. Independence Referendum

Scottish Labour MSPs support a referendum. On Tuesday 6th May 2008 their group convener Duncan McNeil said: "No one in the room had any complaints about the decision that has been taken and we are now in a position where, as a group, we will not vote down any Referendum Bill that comes into the Parliament.

Yet at Westminster Gordon Brown does not support an independence referendum. He has said was personally "not persuaded" of the case for holding a referendum.

Does she still support the position she agreed at the group meeting or does she back Gordon Brown?

3. 10p Tax Rate

On 1st May 2008 Labour MSPs failed to support the UK Labour government's budget (which includes the abolition of the 10p tax rate) in a debate in the Scottish Parliament and also fail to table an amendment to the SNP's motion on that budget.

Yet on 18th March 2008 in a House of Commons vote Labour MPs from Scotland voted to scrap the 10p tax rate.

Does she defend Labour MPs for voting for the abolition of the 10p tax rate?

4. Glasgow Lottery Funds Diverted to Olympics

In January 2008 Labour MSPs – including the Labour candidate – were scaremongering about the SNP cutting funding to vulnerable groups despite record funding for local government and the lifting of ring fencing which has restricted councils from spending additional funding on such projects.

Yet on 15th January 2008 Labour MPs from Scotland voted to divert £675 million of lottery funding from good causes to subsidise the London Olympics. Up to £184 million will be lost by Scottish good causes as a result – over £20 million for Glasgow.

Does she support these raids on Scotland's lottery funds?

5. Responsibility for Scottish Parliament Elections

On 10th January 2008 in a debate on the Gould Report Labour MSPs voted in the Scottish Parliament for "the further devolution of executive and legislative powers to the Scottish Government and the Parliament for the administration of its own elections".

Yet on 24th June 2008, in a response to the Gould Report which suggested such devolution Scottish Secretary Des Browne said there was "no compelling case" to change the present legislative arrangements.

Does she still support the further devolution of election responsibility which she voted for or does she support the Labour position at Westminster?

6. Post Office Closure Programme

Between October 2007 to January 2008 Labour MSPs campaigned against proposed Post Office closures in Glasgow.

Yet on 19th March 2008 and 10th January 2007 Glasgow Labour MPs supported the very same Post Office closure programme.

Does she support the Labour Government's Post Office closure programme like other Labour MPs from Glasgow?

7. Top-up Tuition Fees

On 20th April 2005 the then Labour-led Scottish Executive said it is opposed to top-up fees in principle.

However on 27th January 2004 Labour MPs from Scotland voted for top-up fees for English students despite the fact it would relatively disadvantage Scotland's share of education funding in the Scottish Block Grant.

Does she support top-up fees in Scotland?

8. Foundation Hospitals

In June 2003 in an announcement by Malcolm Chisholm the then Labour-led Scottish Executive rejects Foundation Hospitals for Scotland.

However in July 2003 Labour MPs from Scotland voted for Foundation Hospitals for England despite the fact it would relatively disadvantage Scotland's share of health funding in the Scottish Block Grant.

Does she support Foundation Hospitals for Scotland?

9. Compulsory ID Cards

On 23rd November 2004 the then Labour-led Scottish Executive rules out compulsory ID cards in Scotland. It said it would accept voluntary ID cards, but draw the line at the use of Identity Cards for access to services.

However on 30th March 2006 the Labour Home Secretary said that Identity Cards will be made compulsory if Labour wins the next election.

Does she support compulsory ID cards?

10. Trident Replacement

On 14th June 2007 in a vote in the Scottish Parliament on a Trident replacement five Labour MSPs voted against a replacement and 39 abstained. None voted for a replacement for Trident.

Yet on 14th March 2007 22 Labour MPs from Scotland voted for a Trident replacement with only 15 against.

Does she support a Trident replacement?