Brown could start with SNP action plan
Darling must stop moaning and start working

Campaigning in the Glenrothes by-election today John Mason MP – the SNP victor in the Glasgow East by-election - has challenged Gordon Brown to take immediate action to tackle rising food and fuel prices as he promised to do so in the wake of the SNP's stunning victory.

His call comes after Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling claimed the economy was facing the worst downturn in sixty years, but refused to announce any action.

Commenting from Glenrothes where he is campaigning with the SNP by-election candidate Cllr Peter Grant, Mr Mason said: "The people of Glasgow East sent a clear message to Gordon Brown and his Government over their inaction on the cost of living – change your policy or change your job.

"Even after caving into SNP pressure to cancel the proposed increase in fuel duty the verdict of the people of Glasgow East was clear - it did not go far enough.

"In response to that SNP victory he vowed to do "whatever is necessary".

"However little has emerged but warm words and people having to wait for yet another relaunch by Gordon Brown.

"Alistair Darling's indiscrete interview shows Labour has felt the impact of their defeat in Glasgow East but has no idea what action to take.

"Instead of talking down the economy and dithering over what to do Alistair Darling should be taking action over the rising fuel and energy costs that are crippling household budgets and small businesses.

"The SNP has published an 8-point action plan to tackle fuel poverty and I am suggesting to the Prime Minister that this would be a good place for him to start.

"A vote for the SNP in this by-election will make a big difference. Electing Peter Grant to Westminster will send a clear message to the government in London - act on rising household bills."

Cllr Peter Grant added: "I am hearing on the streets of Glenrothes what John heard in Glasgow East - energy prices are rising and inflation is hitting home. People want action now.

"Last month, the voters of Glasgow East sent a message to the Labour government. Now it's Fife's turn. The people of Glenrothes constituency have the opportunity to make their voice heard, to move Fife further forward, and help Scotland move forward with the SNP.

"An SNP vote will send a message to the London Government to take immediate action to limit the impact of rising energy prices and protect hard-pressed families by giving them a share of the Treasury and energy suppliers windfall.

"The energy supply companies are making windfall gains from EU emissions trading contracts. There is a compelling case for these gains to benefit consumers - a case made recently by the all-party, House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee.

"SNP pressure in Glasgow East led to the London Government cancelling its planned increase in fuel duty. Only an SNP victory in Glenrothes will ensure that the London Government is finally pushed into action instead of dithering as usual. "

Note:

The text of Mr Mason's letter to Gordon Brown is as follows:

Dear Prime Minister,

Recently you said "as we go into September what the people of Britain are concerned about is what is happening to their mortgages, their gas and electricity bills and oil prices and petrol prices at the pumps".

Since these issues were raised with me in July in the Glasgow East by-election I would say that people are, in fact, concerned about these issues now and have been for a number of months.

Statistics published in the ASDA Family Income Tracker for July 2008 already show that Scottish families are almost 9% worse off than they were in June.

During the recent by election campaign in my constituency, I spoke to many residents genuinely worried about their rising food and fuel bills. Having been Member of Parliament for Glasgow East for over a month now, these concerns are increasing.

Despite this mounting pressure on ordinary families, the UK Government has failed to take any substantial action to tackle the situation. This cannot be put off any longer and I am writing to you to take the immediate action those families require.

No single measure will remove the challenges currently faced by my constituents but I respectfully suggest you consider the SNP's 8-point plan (reproduced below) to deliver real relief to those currently burdened with ever rising fuel bills.

Further to that 8-point action plan there are other measures you could take to curb rising energy costs and protect hard-pressed families by giving them a share of the Treasury and energy suppliers' windfall.

For example the energy supply companies are making windfall gains from EU emissions trading contracts. Is there not then a compelling case for these gains to benefit consumers - a case made recently by the all-party, House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee?

With so many families facing hardship these are initiatives that must be taken forward now not subject to further delay.

Yours Sincerely,
John Mason MP