Council tax freeze is 'creditable'

Commenting on remarks by Labour's candidate in the Glenrothes by-election on the Politics Show (today) where he described a freeze in council tax as "creditable" SNP Business Convener and Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said it highlighted splits and disarray in the Labour campaign on a key SNP measure to help people.

This latest gaffe follows his previous appearance in a television debate where he branded Gordon Brown's decision not to call a general election last year a mistake and said he would be disappointed if Gordon Brown did not come to Glenrothes to campaign.

Commenting Mr Robertson said;

"Freezing Council Tax is a key SNP policy to ensure people have more money in their pockets and one which the Labour party failed to vote for in the Scottish Parliament.

"For the Labour candidate in Glenrothes to describe it as 'creditable' now undermines any attempts by his party colleagues to block further freezes in the council tax.

"By also saying he backs Brown's judgement he places himself firmly as the candidate to prop up Gordon Brown – not the candidate to speak up for Glenrothes. In the debate Peter Grant focussed on what is right for the people of Glenrothes.

"Hand picking Lindsay Roy is backfiring badly on Brown.

"The clear message the SNP is getting from Glenrothes is that local people are crying out for help and support with soaring fuel bills this winter.

"Instead of trying to pull the strings from London, Gordon Brown should come and explain face to face to the voters in Glenrothes why he is not helping people meet the cost of higher fuel bills this winter.

"If he can deliver a £500 billion bail out for the financial system why can't he show the same level of concern to deliver a programme to protect people from rising energy costs."