A motion debated at Highland Council opposing a centralised police force in Scotland just days before Iain Gray’s speech puts his call for a single police force into doubt as it was not only supported by the authorities’ Labour councillors but was co-signed by the leader of the Labour group. The Labour group are part of the ruling administration with the Liberal Democrats.
 
The policy split echoes his other policy announcement of saying Labour will employ 1000 extra teachers if elected – despite not being able to say how it would be paid for the fact is that two-thirds of the drop in teacher number numbers is due to the actions of local authorities where Labour are in the controlling administration.
 
Commenting SNP MSP Stewart Maxwell - a member of the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee - said:
 
“This is another example of Iain Gray being so eager to attack the SNP that he forgot to check his facts. Another case that no one can trust a word Labour says.
 
“Whilst the SNP is looking at making savings by reducing the number of forces this has to take into account a number of views. It would appear Iain Gray doesn’t feel the need for consultation.
 
“Or is it a case that what Labour say at their conferences doesn’t match what they will do when in a position of power? Just like how he is promising 1,000 extra teachers when he could be telling his own councillors to stop cutting the number of teachers.
 
“Or is this a case that Labour have caught the LibDem bug of saying one thing to one audience and a different thing to another simply to try and win votes? Do they really believe they can take the voters for fools?”