Jimmy Reid writes to Glasgow East

The SNP have today released the text of a letter sent by trade unionist and Clydesider Jimmy Reid to voters in the Glasgow East constituency. 

The letter is being sent to 10,000 homes in the constituency as the SNP campaign moves into its final days. 

Recent polls show around a third of voters have still to make up their minds as to who they will vote for.

SNP Candidate Cllr John Mason welcomed Jimmy Reid's support.

"Jimmy Reid joined me in the constituency during this campaign and it is an honour to have his support.

"As a former Labour voter Jimmy Reid has taken the journey to the SNP that many people in this constituency are making for the first time.

"A vote for the SNP on Thursday is the only way to send a message to Gordon Brown that enough is enough, that Labour are out of touch and it is the SNP on your side in Glasgow East."

The text of Jimmy Reid's letter is below.

" I am urging you to support the SNP on Thursday " – Jimmy Reid

I know many people in the East End have voted Labour all their lives and that after years of loyalty to Labour, deciding to vote for another party is not easy.

I understand that because it's a journey I've made myself. I was a member of the Labour party for years, until I came to realise that voting Labour wasn't in Scotland's interests anymore.

It wasn't so much that I left Labour. I felt that they left me. And any doubt I had about that was cast aside forever when I watched Gordon Brown cosying up to Margaret Thatcher in Downing Street last year.

I am proud to support John Mason, the SNP candidate in this week's important by-election, and would urge you to do the same.

The vote on Thursday is a chance to send a message to Labour - telling them we believe they've lost touch with their roots and that we're not happy with rising prices.

The only way to send that message is to vote for the SNP and John Mason.

Don't let it be business as usual for Labour after Thursday. Make your voice heard and make Labour listen.

Vote John Mason.

Yours sincerely

Jimmy Reid