Labour MSP's bid for Westminster 'drives coach and horses' through commitment to Kelly recommendations

Bob Doris MSP for Glasgow has today criticised Margaret Curran's second bid to become a Westminster Member of Parliament, despite already sitting in Holyrood. Curran failed to become MP for Glasgow East last year after the SNP's John Mason over-turned Labour's 13,000 majority.  It is reported today that Margaret Curran is campaigning in Glasgow East - rather than doing her job as MSP for Glasgow Baillieston. 

The bid is "completely against the spirit of the Kelly recommendation", which seeks to end the practice of dual-mandating by May 2011.  This is presently an issue for Northern Irish MPs, given Alex Salmond's long-standing pledge to his constituents to serve a full Westminster term, and step down from the Commons at the General Election in a few months' time.  Both Labour and the Tories are proposing to create NEW dual mandates at the coming General Election - involving MSPs Margaret Curran, John Lamont and Alex Johnstone.

Commenting, SNP MSP Bob Doris said: "This is rank hypocrisy from Labour.  At no time in 2007 did Margaret Curran say she was seeking a dual mandate at Westminster - she's already tried once and the electorate of Glasgow East gave a resounding 'no'.  Instead of doing her job as MSP for Glasgow Bailllieston today, Margaret Curran is campaigning for a SECOND job as a Westminster MP - driving a coach and horses through Labour's commitment to the Kelly recommendations.

"Since 2007, we now have Sir Christopher Kelly's recommendation setting out clearly that dual-mandating should end by 2011 - Labour and Tory MSPs have completely ignored the spirit of these recommendations by trying to create NEW dual mandates.  This just highlights their lack of commitment to changing the Westminster system, and Labour's lack of respect for voters in Glasgow."