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In full: Cairns letter to Brown In full: Brown and Cairns letters
(about 3 hours later)
Here is the full text of the resignation letter from David Cairns, who has quit as Scotland Office minister: Here is the full text of the resignation letter from David Cairns, who has quit as Scotland Office minister, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown's reply:
Dear Gordon class="bodl" href="#cairns">David Cairns' letter to Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown's letter to David Cairns Dear Gordon
As someone who has never uttered a public word of criticism of our LabourGovernment, far less ever cast a vote against it in the years that I have beenan MP, the concept of loyalty to my Party and our Leader is at the very heart ofmy political beliefs.As someone who has never uttered a public word of criticism of our LabourGovernment, far less ever cast a vote against it in the years that I have beenan MP, the concept of loyalty to my Party and our Leader is at the very heart ofmy political beliefs.
As such, the greatest privilege in my life has been to serve as a LabourMinister.As such, the greatest privilege in my life has been to serve as a LabourMinister.
For me it is an article of faith that the worst day of a Labour Government isbetter than the best day of a Tory or SNP one.For me it is an article of faith that the worst day of a Labour Government isbetter than the best day of a Tory or SNP one.
This has been borne out by the tremendous progress that we have seen over thepast 11 years in communities like my own in Inverclyde where regeneration isreplacing years of decay, caused in large measure by destructive Conservativepolicies.This has been borne out by the tremendous progress that we have seen over thepast 11 years in communities like my own in Inverclyde where regeneration isreplacing years of decay, caused in large measure by destructive Conservativepolicies.
This is why I got into politics and why loyalty is a price well worth paying.This is why I got into politics and why loyalty is a price well worth paying.
Yet despite our achievements, if surveys of public opinion and recentby-elections are to be believed, we find ourselves in a position where we appearto have fallen well behind a Tory opposition of quite breathtaking shallownesswith no answers to the challenges that our country faces, and an SNPadministration that has betrayed pensioners, students, home-owners and isdecimating the voluntary sector.Yet despite our achievements, if surveys of public opinion and recentby-elections are to be believed, we find ourselves in a position where we appearto have fallen well behind a Tory opposition of quite breathtaking shallownesswith no answers to the challenges that our country faces, and an SNPadministration that has betrayed pensioners, students, home-owners and isdecimating the voluntary sector.
Of course Governments in all countries are facing problems and it would bedisingenuous to argue otherwise, but this is not the only challenge we face.Of course Governments in all countries are facing problems and it would bedisingenuous to argue otherwise, but this is not the only challenge we face.
It was in this context that some colleagues requested nomination forms for aleadership contest.It was in this context that some colleagues requested nomination forms for aleadership contest.
When asked my opinion I counselled against this as I argued that it could onlylead to further division and internal wrangling.When asked my opinion I counselled against this as I argued that it could onlylead to further division and internal wrangling.
Nevertheless they went ahead, their names found their way into the publicdomain, and, to my dismay, the current crisis began.Nevertheless they went ahead, their names found their way into the publicdomain, and, to my dismay, the current crisis began.
However it is the response to this action that has caused me most unhappiness.However it is the response to this action that has caused me most unhappiness.
Rather than seizing the opportunity to open out to the broader party membershipa discussion that is being held in private, our response as a government hasbeen to suggest that these were the actions of a tiny number of disaffectedpeople who have taken leave of their senses, are part of some larger plot andare entirely unrepresentative of the PLP.Rather than seizing the opportunity to open out to the broader party membershipa discussion that is being held in private, our response as a government hasbeen to suggest that these were the actions of a tiny number of disaffectedpeople who have taken leave of their senses, are part of some larger plot andare entirely unrepresentative of the PLP.
These were among the more charitable responses.These were among the more charitable responses.
I do not believe any of these things to be the case, though I understand thefrustration of those good comrades who hold a different point of view.I do not believe any of these things to be the case, though I understand thefrustration of those good comrades who hold a different point of view.
In any event the debate is now on.In any event the debate is now on.
The issue of leadership and direction are being discussed and argued over, andto go on denying it is hardly credible.The issue of leadership and direction are being discussed and argued over, andto go on denying it is hardly credible.
I wish it were otherwise.I wish it were otherwise.
To that end I believe that the time has come to take the bull by the horns andallow a leadership debate to run its course.To that end I believe that the time has come to take the bull by the horns andallow a leadership debate to run its course.
I know that it is incompatible to hold this view and to remain a servingminister, and although it had not been my intention to resign, I havereluctantly concluded that it is the only honourable course of action leftopen.I know that it is incompatible to hold this view and to remain a servingminister, and although it had not been my intention to resign, I havereluctantly concluded that it is the only honourable course of action leftopen.
Yours sincerelyYours sincerely
David CairnsDavid Cairns
Member of Parliament for InverclydeMember of Parliament for Inverclyde
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Dear David,
It is with regret that I accept your resignation.
Firstly, let me thank you for the many years of fine service which you have given to both the party and the government on both sides of the border. Your contribution to the Scotland Office has been particularly welcome at a time when it is vital that the modern day case for the United Kingdom, and Scotland's part in it, is properly made.
As you know, the world is facing a time of economic upheaval. I believe it is vital that we as a Government, and as a country, stand together in the face of these difficult times and concentrate all our efforts on helping the British people to come through them. I am therefore disappointed by your decision to leave the government, and I do not agree with you that this is the time at which the Labour Party should be focused on internal debates.
I will always respect the views of others both in the party and the government but believe that both function best when we show unity.
Gordon Brown
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