SNP RIDICULE GRAY ATTACK IN TIMES

MAN WHO CANT SPEAK TO CUTS PROTESTERS CANT STAND UP TO TORIES

Laughing off the attack on First Minister Alex Salmond by Iain Gray in the Times today, SNP Business Convener Bruce Crawford said:

“Iain Gray’s remarks are laughable if he cant even speak to Glaswegians protesting against Tory cuts, he is clearly incapable of standing up to the Tories.

“Labours record of standing up for Scotland is pitiful. The SNP led the protest against the Tory Budget’s smash and grab raid on Scotlands North Sea revenues – and when it came to the vote in the House of Commons, Labour MPs betrayed Scotland and sat on their hands.

“And Iain Grays examples are ludicrous the last Labour Government failed to hand over Scotlands near £200 million Fossil Fuel Levy, while the SNP have consistently pressed the issue and led the debate to build a Holyrood majority demanding Scotlands money.

“And if it had been left to Labours Andy Kerr, Scotland would have lost the £1.5 billion that he left tied up in the UK Treasurys End Year Flexibility.

“The SNP Government agreed a Joint Declaration with the Welsh and Northern Irish administrations protesting against the UK Governments unilateral decision to write off EYF stocks. And thanks to John Swinneys financial acumen, we got Scotlands money out before the Treasury closed the bank, leaving only £23 million far less than the £150 million each that the Welsh and Northern Irish lost.

“John Swinney is the most effective Finance Minister that Scotland has had all that Iain Gray has demonstrated is that he has no knowledge or understanding of these issues.