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Monday, 07 July 2008 |
SNP win will send a shockwave to London - force action on energy costs
Labour out of touch with Glasgow East
The SNP is today launching our campaign for the Glasgow East by-election. The SNP is on your side in Glasgow East - Labour is out of touch.
The Glasgow East by-election is an opportunity for people in Glasgow East to send a shockwave to London and to force action on rising energy costs as feel the pinch from Gordon Brown's policies.
The SNP is on your side in Glasgow East - in Government and in Westminster. Labour is out of touch increasing taxes and failing to cut fuel costs.
Launching the campaign at The Hub, part of the Wellhouse Community Trust in the Easterhouse area of Glasgow East Scotland's First Minister and SNP Leader Alex Salmond said: "The SNP are fighting a strong campaign to win in Glasgow East. Our message to people is that we are on your side, and we are off to a flying start with a first class candidate in Cllr John Mason - who has an outstanding track record of success in the constituency - including beating Labour in a by-election.
"This by-election is time for Glasgow East to elect an MP who will send a shockwave to London and force action over rising energy costs - crippling household budgets.
"People in Glasgow and across Scotland are suffering as energy bills and petrol prices rise. Yet Labour are completely immobilised. At a time of real need, Labour are posted missing in every sense. Enough is enough, and the people can call a halt in this by-election.
"An SNP win in Glasgow East will force Gordon Brown to take action on fuel prices - at the pumps and in the home.
"An SNP win will drive Gordon Brown to cancel the 2 pence rise in fuel duty, to introduce a fuel duty regulator recycling the UK's record tax take into lower costs for families and to give Glasgow East a fair share of Scotland's oil wealth.
"And of course an SNP win in Glasgow East is another milestone as the SNP continues to govern with the endorsement of people across Scotland and to build support for a referendum on Independence in 2010.
"At a time when the Prime Minister is raking in billions of pounds from an off shore windfall he refuses to take the measures needed to bring relief to hard pressed families and businesses. Instead he increases their tax bill by 10 pence and refuses to give Scotland a fair share of our own oil wealth, a share that would give Glasgow and the Scottish people direct and long term benefits.
"Scotland's share of the current oil windfall is worth £40 a week to every household in Glasgow East. £40 a week that could help family budgets, be invested in our communities and support our small businesses to create more jobs. This election can deliver that fair share for Glasgow East.
"Compared to this out of touch attitude from the Labour Government, the SNP Government in Scotland is on your side and has taken decisive action to help people and the economy.
"Among the 140 measures the SNP have taken in government over the past year, we have frozen the Council Tax, begun the phased abolition of prescription charges, slashed business rates, installed a record number of free central heating installations, and restored free education.
"We are taking action on crime - training more police for our streets and tackling the gang culture in our communities.
"A vote for the SNP gives people in Glasgow East a voice in Westminster. A voice that will put Glasgow's concerns before Gordon Brown's. A voice that will work to represent the people of Glasgow East and a voice that will force action on fuel prices for Glasgow and for Scotland.
"The SNP Government is on the side of people in Glasgow East. And I believe that the people of Glasgow East are on the side of the SNP in this by-election."
SNP Candidate Cllr John Mason said: "It is a huge privilege to be selected to contest the seat of Glasgow East. As an East End councillor I know the opportunities ahead for Glasgow East but I also know the burden felt by families facing rising fuel, energy and food prices.
"This by-election is the chance for people in Glasgow East to elect an MP who is on their side, not out of touch like Labour.
"By electing an SNP MP voters will put Glasgow East on the map and force action from Gordon Brown.
"SNP MPs are on your side working to lower fuel duty and energy prices. Labour MPs are out of touch.
"SNP MPs voted to keep the 10pence tax rate for families in Glasgow East, Labour MPs are so out of touch they voted to increase tax by another 10 pence.
"An SNP MP for Glasgow East I will be on your side, putting Glasgow East before Gordon Brown and putting Glasgow East firmly on the map."
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