The SNP today challenged Iain Gray asking if he now
agreed with Ed Miliband that Labour would have made “painful” cuts in
Government after Labour’s new leader refused to rule out “meddling” with
Scottish Labour.

In his first speech not only  did Ed Miliband criticise Scottish Labour’s
approach to prison’s policy but admitted that Labour would have made cuts in
Government and that the cuts would be painful 
He also said they would support Tory policies, even when they didn’t
agree.

Speaking yesterday he said : “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.”

Challenging Iain Gray – who has repeatedly denied that
Labour made or would have made cuts despite the party already being responsible
for two thirds of the cuts coming to Scotland - to be honest with the public
SNP MSP and Chief Whip Brian Adam said:

“Ed left Iain Gray red faced with his first speech as
leader.

“Where Iain Gray has stuck his head in the sand and tried
to pretend the cuts aren’t coming, Ed Miliband has exposed Labour’s true
intentions.

“Iain Gray can no longer deny that two thirds of the cuts
Scotland is about to face were put in place by Labour or that they planned
“painful” cuts after the last election.

“The SNP in government and across the country will put
the priorities of the people of Scotland first when we have to implement the
Westminster cuts, but we will continue to argue for investment in economic
growth and an alternative to the dismal decade of cuts ahead.

“It is only with real financial and economic
responsibilities for Scotland and the Scottish Parliament that we can deliver
that growth, invest in infrastructure and building projects across Scotland,
create jobs and protect public services.

“While the SNP has set out an approach to dealing with
Westminster cuts and an alternative future for Scotland – putting a clear
choice before the people of Scotland Iain Gray has done nothing but make costly
promises he knows he can’t keep. If Ed Miliband can admit Labour mistakes when
will Iain Gray accept Labour’s cuts?"