Backing for Tory cuts will hang over Labour

Ed Miliband's support for the SNP's reform of prison policy has left Iain Gray red faced and humiliated.

In his first speech Ed Miliband backed the SNP on:

• Reforming short sentences to tackle reoffending
• Taking action to increase the price of alcohol

He also pulled the rug from Iain Gray by admitting that a Labour would not only have made painful cuts in public spending, but a Labour opposition will vote for Tory cuts in public spending.

Responding to the speech SNP Depute Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Ed Miliband has left Iain Gray Red faced and humiliated.

"This speech will leave Iain Gray utterly embarrassed after Labour's new leader backed the SNP's approach to short sentences and reoffending and supported action to tackle the low price of alcohol.

"Labour MSPs oppositionist approach of flinging insults around has been called out by their new boss with his explicit support for changes to short sentences to tackle reoffending, a policy Scottish Labour voted against only three months ago.

"Ed Miliband isn't promoting Iain Gray he's putting him in his place."

Commenting on Ed Miliband's announcement that  Labour will back Tory cuts in Westminster Ms Sturgeon added: "Ed Miliband once said there was no difference between Labour and the Tories. The eventual admission that Labour would have  delivered painful cuts in Government and will vote for Tory cuts in opposition will hang over Iain Gray's head all the way to election day.

"At the next election voters will face the choice between an experienced SNP Government led by Alex Salmond putting the priorities of the Scottish people first against an inexperienced Labour party led by a man who lacks the support of Labour's new leader."

Notes:

1.      In his speech today Ed Miliband said: "when Ken Clarke says we need to look at short sentences in prison because of high re-offending rates, I'm not going to say he's soft on crime."

2. He also highlighted the importance of tackling alcohol pricing to support local pubs a move that could be achieved through minimum pricing, but not by Labour's ineffective tax plans - saying: "And we must be on the side of those who are dismayed by the undermining of the local pub with cut-price alcohol from supermarkets."

3. On cuts - he unfortunately backed the Tories saying: "There will be cuts and there would have been if we had been in government. Some of them will be painful and would have been if we were in government.

"I won't oppose every cut the coalition proposes.

"There will be some things the coalition does that we won't like as a party but we will have to support.

"And come the next election there will be some things they have done that I will not be able to reverse."