GRAY CHALLENGED OVER "PAINFUL" CUTS

For immediate use: Wednesday 29th September 2010


Attn: NEWSDESKS
POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


The SNP today challenged Iain Gray asking if he now agreed with Ed
Miliband that Labour would have made “painful” cuts in Government after
Labour’s new leader refused to rule out “meddling” with Scottish Labour.


In his first speech not only did Ed Miliband criticise Scottish Labour’s
approach to prison’s policy but admitted that Labour would have made cuts
in Government and that the cuts would be painful He also said they would
support Tory policies, even when they didn’t agree.


Speaking yesterday he said : “There will be cuts and there would have been
if we had been in government. Some of them will be painful and would have
been if we were in government. I won't oppose every cut the coalition
proposes.


“There will be some things the coalition does that we won't like as a
party but we will have to support.”


Challenging Iain Gray – who has repeatedly denied that Labour made or
would have made cuts despite the party already being responsible for two
thirds of the cuts coming to Scotland - to be honest with the public SNP
MSP and Chief Whip Brian Adam said:


“Ed left Iain Gray red faced with his first speech as leader.


“Where Iain Gray has stuck his head in the sand and tried to pretend the
cuts aren’t coming, Ed Miliband has exposed Labour’s true intentions.


“Iain Gray can no longer deny that two thirds of the cuts Scotland is
about to face were put in place by Labour or that they planned “painful”
cuts after the last election.


“The SNP in government and across the country will put the priorities of
the people of Scotland first when we have to implement the Westminster
cuts, but we will continue to argue for investment in economic growth and
an alternative to the dismal decade of cuts ahead.


“It is only with real financial and economic responsibilities for Scotland
and the Scottish Parliament that we can deliver that growth, invest in
infrastructure and building projects across Scotland, create jobs and
protect public services.


“While the SNP has set out an approach to dealing with Westminster cuts
and an alternative future for Scotland – putting a clear choice before the
people of Scotland Iain Gray has done nothing but make costly promises he
knows he can’t keep. If Ed Miliband can admit Labour mistakes when will
Iain Gray accept Labour’s cuts?"