Scotland just an afterthought for Keir Starmer’s Labour
by The SNP’s candidate for the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, Katy Loudon, has written to the candidate for Keir Starmer’s Labour, David Russell, challenging him to “call out Labour’s cuts for what they are – austerity in all but name.”
Last month the Labour government announced plans to cut £4.8 billion of support to disabled people. In the weeks since, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has warned these are “the deepest cuts to social security since Osborne was Chancellor.”
Meanwhile, Amnesty International have heavily criticised Keir Starmer’s government for their benefit cuts saying they have attempted to redefine the definition of austerity.
Cllr Loudon said Labour’s attempts to ignore the issue in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse was yet another example of Scotland being treated as an afterthought by this Labour government – just like they did with nationalising British Steel in Scunthorpe whilst ignoring the Grangemouth refinery.
The by-election is a prime opportunity for the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse to send a message to Labour that they are tired of being treated as an afterthought by Labour.
In her letter, Katy wrote:
Dear David,
The Labour government’s decision to implement nearly £5 billion of cuts to support for disabled people is unconscionable, and yet so far in this campaign you have stayed silent on this issue.
DWP estimates show it will push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty, and yet your party has pressed ahead with no regard for vulnerable families who will suffer as a result.
The Resolution Foundation estimates that lower income households are set to become £500 a year poorer as a result, and the Glasgow Disability Alliance has warned hundreds of thousands of disabled Scots could lose out.
In South Lanarkshire alone, 11,229 will have their health element of Universal Credit frozen, with new recipients seeing a cut in support.
That’s austerity in all but name, harming incredibly vulnerable people who in most cases are unable to work.
Scotland, as usual, is being treated as an afterthought by this Labour government.
Unsurprisingly, Labour’s Scottish branch office has dutifully fallen in line; with Labour MSPs voting last week to support the cuts or, as Anas Sarwar did, failing to vote at all.
As the Labour candidate in this by-election, will you too put party before constituency, follow Starmer’s orders and defend the indefensible? Or will you do right by Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse and call out these cuts for what they are: Labour austerity.
The people of this constituency deserve a local champion who stands up for them, and so far, your silence speaks volumes about where your priorities really lie.
I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
Katy Loudon
SNP Candidate for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse