This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7498581.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Glasgow East campaign continues Road tax row on by-election trail
(1 day later)
A host of MPs and MSPs are to take to the streets to canvass in support of their party's candidate for the Glasgow East by-election. The row over the UK Government plans to increase road tax for more than nine million drivers has hit the Glasgow East by-election.
Labour will focus its campaigning on local employment, while the SNP will contrast the credit squeeze with oil revenues received by the Treasury. Nearly half of drivers face a rise in vehicle excise duty, while fewer than one in five will benefit.
The Liberal Democrats will also campaign on the rising cost of living, particularly increased fuel prices. Labour candidate Margaret Curran said she understood families were under financial pressure.
The Conservatives will be promoting policies on outdoor education. The SNP, Tories and Liberal Democrats claimed the policy was unfair and would not cut emissions.
SNP candidate John Mason is to visit a credit union where he hopes to highlight the impact of the credit crunch on families in the east end. An estimated 9.4 million motorists will have to pay more road tax under reforms aimed at punishing "gas-guzzling" vehicles, UK ministers admitted.
Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie will join her party's candidate Davena Rankin in promoting their outdoor education policies in Tollcross Park. Official estimates said vehicle excise duty would rise for 43% of vehicles made since 2001 - by up to £245 for the most polluting ones - but will fall for 18%.
Lib Dem candidate Ian Robertson said he would be focussing on the rising cost of living, especially fuel prices. Retrospectively introducing a tax which is going to hurt people who've already bought big cars is not the way to go about it Ian RobertsonLib Dem candidate
Speaking on the campaign trail, Ms Curran said she wanted to invite Chancellor Alistair Darling to the constituency.
"I think I would invite to chancellor to come and meet some of the people I've met to hear face to face some of the issues people are facing.
"Families are under pressure - I understand that."
Tory MP Francis Maude said many people living in Glasgow East owned older cars, adding: "People are angry about this and they're right to be angry because it's a policy which completely counter-productive.
"It's neither fair to people, nor is it promoting action to cut carbon emissions."
SNP candidate John Mason said that, while people in Glasgow East were feeling the pinch, the UK Government had made more than £6bn in extra tax due to the rising price of oil.
"The SNP wants to see some of that come back to Scotland to help ease that burden and to invest in the east end," he said.
For the Lib Dems, Ian Robertson said action on the type of cars driven on the roads had to be taken.
But he added: "Retrospectively introducing a tax which is going to hurt people who've already bought big cars is not the way to go about it and I think it's deeply unfair."
Nine candidates have declared to contest the 24 July by-election, which was triggered by Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds.Nine candidates have declared to contest the 24 July by-election, which was triggered by Labour MP David Marshall's resignation on health grounds.
They include Chris Creighton, Independent; Frances Curran, Scottish Socialist Party; Eileen Duke, Scottish Green Party; Hamish Howitt, Freedom-4-Choice and Tricia McLeish, Solidarity. They also include Chris Creighton, Independent; Frances Curran, Scottish Socialist Party; Eileen Duke, Scottish Green Party; Hamish Howitt, Freedom-4-Choice and Tricia McLeish, Solidarity.