Reshuffle Settles Scores Rather Than Builds Government

Jack McConnell's is settling scores rather than constructing a government for Scotland, SNP Leader Mr John Swinney MSP said today (Tuesday) as five cabinet ministers are ousted. Mr Swinney said:

"Jack McConnell's true colours are on show today. Less than a week after his election, he is settling scores and stabbing colleagues in the back. He should be building a government for Scotland but instead he is filling his cabinet with his own clique of cronies.

"Labour are forever claiming everything in the garden is rosy, but five cabinet ministers have just been ousted and more culled from the junior ranks. Today will go down as the day Labour admitted they have failed to deliver.

"Labour are now in turmoil. The real business of the government of Scotland is being neglected as they fight their factional feuds.

"The Executive is now facing months of infighting and backbiting as ousted ministers snipe at Jack McConnell from the backbenches. Our public services are crumbling, child poverty is higher than under the Tories and unemployment is rising but Jack McConnell and his clique of cronies has just guaranteed that the Executive will continue to be more interested in their own internal battles than in fighting for Scotland."