Read Katy Loudon’s letter to Labour supporters: vote SNP to make Starmer “think again”

by Katy Loudon
Posted on
7 months ago
3 min read

Show Starmer that Labour should fight the Tories, not imitate them

The Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election on Thursday 5th October is a choice between two futures.

Soaring energy bills, high prices in the supermarkets and rocketing mortgage payments, caused by Westminster’s cost of living crisis, are top of the agenda.

This constituency is my home: it’s where I live, where my children go to school, and where I represent my community as a local councillor.

I have seen first hand the devastating impact that thirteen years of Tory austerity, a hard Brexit and Liz Truss’ reckless ‘mini budget’ has had on our community.

Working households and families have been forced to bear the brunt of cruel Westminster policies they didn’t vote for.

Now, more than ever, our community needs real cost of living support from Westminster to help the many families struggling to simply make ends meet.

The Tories have made clear the support we need isn’t coming.

And sadly, instead of offering communities like ours a lifeline, Keir Starmer has confirmed his government would offer us more of the same.

Rather than standing up to austerity, Sir Keir Starmer has refused to produce an alternative agenda – confirming that on his watch, a Labour government would maintain support for key Tory policies that take money out of your pockets, dilute workers’ rights and push more people into poverty.

That simply isn’t good enough. Keir Starmer is selling off core Labour values in a thinly veiled attempt to appeal to those on the right.

The closer Keir Starmer gets to Number 10, the further away he gets from the principles you stand for.

I believe in protecting our NHS from Tory privatisation so it always remains in public hands, free at the point of need.

I believe it’s wrong that in energy rich Scotland, some of the most elderly in our community can’t afford to turn the heating on.

I believe that in a country as well-off as ours, it is an outrage that children are going to bed hungry.

And I believe that our workers and trade unions should be empowered, rather than restricted, with the right to strike enshrined in law.

While we may not agree on every single issue, few of us do, the core principles of community, dignity and equality unite us.

Rutherglen and Hamilton West needs a strong MP who is willing to stand up for their community and fight for the real cost of living support people need right now.

After already bending his principles on a host of key issues, including Brexit, the Labour candidate in this by-election has proven he is not up to that task.

On Thursday 5th October you can be assured that if you vote for me, Katy Loudon, I will oppose Westminster austerity, ensure local households are properly supported, and hold this incompetent Tory Government’s feet to the fire.

To deliver real change in our local community at this election and send Keir Starmer a message to think again – vote SNP.

Yours sincerely,

Katy Loudon