'Nothing more than lip service'

The SNP have today slammed Labour candidate in the Glasgow North East by-election for paying lip service to constituents after he failed to stand up for the unpopular policies of the UK Labour Government.

At a hustings, hosted by the non-affiliated PCS, the Labour candidate said:

• He supported the Royal Mail strike - the UK Labour Government oppose it.
  
• He opposed privatisation of Royal Mail - the UK Labour Government attempted to sell off part of Royal Mail.
  
• He opposed planned changes to the Civil Service Compensation Scheme - the UK Labour Government introduced it.
  
• He described it as "critical to restore the link between pensions and earnings" - the UK Government have dragged their heels over this for 12 years.
  
• He called for more investment in regeneration - as the UK Government refused to unlock the £165m of Barnet consequentials generated by building around the London 2012 Olympics.

The Labour candidate also described Glasgow's Labour Council's policy of schools closures as "the wrong decision" despite snubbing local parents during the campaign.

Commenting, SNP MSP Bob Doris said: "If the Prime Minister dares to show his face in Glasgow North East, the Labour candidate will have some serious explaining to do to his boss.

"When faced with tough questions on issues which actually matter to local people, Labour's shaky campaign of fears and smears crumbled and the Labour candidate's reaction was oppose his own government on six separate occasions.  If he doesn't back Brown, how can he expect local voters to back Labour?

"The Labour candidate was repeatedly heckled by local people let down by 12 years of broken promises by the UK Labour Government and 90 minutes of lip service by the Labour candidate.

"People want an MP they can trust to stand up for their interests - not a politician who opposes his Government in Glasgow but props it up in London.

"Only the SNP are taking hard decisions and focusing on policies which deliver for Scotland. After 74 years in power, Labour have nothing left to offer the people of Glasgow North East.

"Sending another Labour MP to Westminster will make no difference to the people of Glasgow North East. Only David Kerr and the SNP have what it takes to speak up for Scotland and speak up for Glasgow North East."

Note:

Local man, Daniel O'Donnell from Carntyne, said the following to Willie Bain:

"As we say in Glasgow, there's a tinny rattle about ye...you're an absolute disgrace...you're haunting Carntyne where all the old folk live...you've brought lower life expectancy...you've run this place to its knees. I'd rather voter for the f***king devil himself than vote for you."