As the Prime Minister pays his first visit to the Glasgow North East by-election, Labour's candidate will have some serious explaining to do after he spoke out against the UK's intervention in Iraq.

The Labour candidate's latest outburst came less than 48 hours after he slammed SIX UK government policies at a hustings.

Commenting, Anne McLaughlin MSP said: "The war in Iraq was the biggest foreign policy disaster in modern times and it was bankrolled by Gordon Brown - but the Labour candidate was unequivocal in his opposition to it in last night's televised debate. And this comes just 48 hours after the Labour candidate opposed no less than six UK Government policies at a hustings.

"If Willie Bain doesn't support his Government's policies, how can he expect the people of Glasgow North East to vote for them?"

Ms McLaughlin added: "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 stand up for Glasgow North East."

Notes:

1. Gordon Brown did not visit neighbouring Glasgow East where the SNP secured a historic by-election win in July 2008 claiming it was not convention for the Prime Minister to campaign in by-elections.

2. At a hustings, hosted by the non-affiliated PCS on Tuesday 3rd November 2009, 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.

For more detail see here.