Only Kerr victory will deliver local campaign

SNP Leader and First Minister Alex Salmond MSP MP today said that a vote for the SNP at the forthcoming Glasgow North East by-election was the only way to ensure that the area continued on its path away from poverty and deprivation towards a brighter, more prosperous future.

Alex Salmond will join SNP by-election candidate David Kerr to meet with local voters at the Gala Bingo club in Possilpark this afternoon.

Commenting, Mr Salmond said: "Labour might talk a good game about helping local people but it is two years of SNP action that has finally seen improvement across Glasgow - after 74 years of Labour neglect.

"The SNP Scottish Government is doing all it can to tackle deprivation across Scotland. We have frozen council tax, we are scrapping prescription charges and we are introducing free school meals to make sure children get the best start in life. And it's working. Here in Glasgow North East, we are already turning a corner.

"The number of deprived areas in Glasgow has fallen 4.5% since the SNP came to power with the largest improvement - a fall of 12% - to be found in Springburn. These are the sort of headlines we should be hearing about Glasgow North East.

"But the Labour party want to put all of this in jeopardy. By slashing Scotland budget and dragging their feet in London over the acceleration of capital spend, Labour are endangering the Scottish recovery.

"Their colleagues in the Glasgow City Chambers are equally irresponsible: shutting down schools, slashing teacher numbers and increasing class sizes - despite record funding from the SNP Government.

"Only a vote for David Kerr at this by-election will deliver a champion for this area - an MP who will stand up to the council and ensure this area's long term recovery. A vote for Labour at this by-election is just a vote for 74 more years of neglect."