SNP campaign off to flying start

The SNP is today continuing its weekend of action in Glasgow East after nearly 300 SNP activists hit the streets in the constituency with First Minister Alex Salmond yesterday (Saturday) and SNP candidate Cllr John Mason.

With the SNP campaign off to a flying start ahead of its official launch tomorrow Labour's chaos has continued with the party looking to its last choice candidate.

Commenting on the potential selection of Margaret Curran MSP as Labour's candidate for the Glasgow East by-election SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson said;

"The SNP are fighting a strong campaign to win in Glasgow East. Our message to the people is that we are on your side, and we are off to a flying start with a first class candidate in Cllr John Mason - who has an outstanding track record of success in the constituency – including beating Labour in a by-election.

"Labour, by contrast, is in complete meltdown - both locally and nationally. This is their 'lost weekend' - they don't have a leader in Scotland, they don't have a candidate in Glasgow East, and they have a Prime Minister who refuses to come to the constituency and who was clearly unable to persuade anyone to stand in the seat.

"Labour are treating the people of Glasgow East with contempt - and the people will have their say on July 24, and the opportunity to elect an SNP MP who is on their side.

"Across Glasgow East voters are feeling the pinch from rising energy costs, rising household bills and rising petrol prices.

"New figures released today by the SNP show there has been an 146% increase in electricity and gas disconnections in the last two years as prices have soared. There is an overwhelming demand for Westminster to take action on energy prices yet Labour are doing nothing to help - they are completely immobilised.

"The Prime Minister is raking in an offshore oil windfall of some £5 billion - yet refuses to take the measures needed to bring relief to hard pressed families and business. And he refuses to give Scotland a fair share of our own oil wealth - the equivalent of £40 a family in Glasgow East, which would give the Scottish people direct and long term benefits.

"Compared to this 'rabbit in the headlights' approach from the UK Labour government, the Scottish Government have taken decisive action to help people and the economy.

"Among the 140 measures the SNP have taken in government over the past year, we have frozen the Council Tax, begun the phased abolition of prescription charges, slashed business rates, installed a record number of free central heating installations, and restored free education.

"These positive and progressive policies show that the SNP Government are on the side of the people whilst the struggling Labour party is out of touch. It's time to move on and for Glasgow East to move forward with the SNP."

Notes:

Increases in Energy disconnections are below:

Between Q4 2005 and Q3 2007 people being disconnected for debt for electricity rose by 300%.

Between Q4 2005 and Q3 2007 people being disconnected for debt for gas rose by 109%.

Between Q4 2005 and Q3 2007 people being disconnected for debt for gas and electricity rose by 146%

Details of Mr Weir’s Parliamentary Question are available here.