SNP shocked by duplicity of Glasgow Labour

Following the ReGEN article on the campaign to save the Lightburn Hospital, which carried a picture of campaigners flanked by Labour councillors and an MSP, Councillor David Turner expressed surprise and disappointment at the hypocrisy of Glasgow Labour.  Councillor Turner said: "The process to rationalise acute services in Glasgow started in 2002 under Labour at Holyrood. The Labour-run Glasgow City Council last year forced through its support for the closure of the Lightburn, against the SNP plan calling for more time to consider the options, with Glasgow Leader Gordon Matheson proposing the recommendation to support closure!"

Bailie David McDonald, added: Gordon Matheson's flip flopping on the Lightburn is shocking.  When he and his Labour colleagues see a chance to catch a quick local headline they jump at the chance, cynically whitewashing their previous support for closure.  Councillor Ruth Simpson also voted in favour of the closure decision - Councillors Frank Docherty and Elaine McDougall are also members of the Labour Group and must answer for Labour's support for closure of the Lightburn.

Labour's hypocrisy is there for all to see on the future of the Lightburn, in sharp contrast to the measured position of the SNP."

James Dornan MSP, who led opposition to the Council's decision to support closure while a member of the Council's Executive Committee, said: "Labour rejected SNP proposals for fuller consultation on the issue pushing ahead with approval of the closure plan.

"For Labour - and Councillor Matheson in particular - to now call for the retention of the hospital smacks of the highest duplicity amid their panic over the coming local elections.  To deceive the people of the east end in such a way simply confirms Glasgow Labour's contempt for the people of this great city.

"Gordon Matheson should apologise on behalf of Glasgow Labour for playing cheap political games and showing their inherent hypocrisy over this issue."

Notes:

1. The ReGEN article can be found here.

2. The Council Executive Committee paper and minutes of the decision can be found here.