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Labour asks Scotland not to turn to SNP out of anger Labour asks Scotland not to turn to SNP out of anger
(about 1 hour later)
The Scottish Labour leader is to urge voters not to abandon his party out of anger and protest but imagine the positive change an Ed Miliband government could bring.The Scottish Labour leader is to urge voters not to abandon his party out of anger and protest but imagine the positive change an Ed Miliband government could bring.
Jim Murphy is expected to imply that disaffected former supporters are being lured into supporting the Scottish National party on a wave of apathy and a rise in cynicism.Jim Murphy is expected to imply that disaffected former supporters are being lured into supporting the Scottish National party on a wave of apathy and a rise in cynicism.
Faced by a continuing surge in SNP support, leaving Labour trailing heavily in the polls, Murphy is to launch a new pledge card promising a Labour government will produce substantive change, at an event in his East Renfrewshire constituency.Faced by a continuing surge in SNP support, leaving Labour trailing heavily in the polls, Murphy is to launch a new pledge card promising a Labour government will produce substantive change, at an event in his East Renfrewshire constituency.
“We can vote out of anger, as a protest, or we can vote with hope, for change,” Murphy is expected to say. “It is easy to ride a wave of anti-political feeling, to tell scunnered [weary] voters that they are all the same.”“We can vote out of anger, as a protest, or we can vote with hope, for change,” Murphy is expected to say. “It is easy to ride a wave of anti-political feeling, to tell scunnered [weary] voters that they are all the same.”
Related: Labour fears SNP election landslide as Scottish party post clear lead in pollRelated: Labour fears SNP election landslide as Scottish party post clear lead in poll
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, will hope to build on her acclaimed performance in last week’s leaders’ debate by launching a new policy for pensioners, which SNP MPs would press for at Westminster.Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader, will hope to build on her acclaimed performance in last week’s leaders’ debate by launching a new policy for pensioners, which SNP MPs would press for at Westminster.
With the polls suggesting the SNP could win more than 40 of Scotland’s 59 seats – potentially making it as the third largest group at Westminster, Sturgeon will campaign in the Lib Dem target seat of East Dunbartonshire outside Glasgow, currently held by the junior employment minister, Jo Swinson.With the polls suggesting the SNP could win more than 40 of Scotland’s 59 seats – potentially making it as the third largest group at Westminster, Sturgeon will campaign in the Lib Dem target seat of East Dunbartonshire outside Glasgow, currently held by the junior employment minister, Jo Swinson.
Sturgeon is due to say: “Our pensioners have contributed hugely to society, and are entitled to get a fair deal in their retirement in return.Sturgeon is due to say: “Our pensioners have contributed hugely to society, and are entitled to get a fair deal in their retirement in return.
“A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power will ensure that the contribution older people have made throughout their lives is recognised – and will deliver a new and better deal for pensioners in Scotland.”“A strong team of SNP MPs holding the balance of power will ensure that the contribution older people have made throughout their lives is recognised – and will deliver a new and better deal for pensioners in Scotland.”
Murphy, insisting that another Labour government with Gordon Brown as prime minister and Alistair Darling as Chancellor would have been quite different than the five years just seen under David Cameron, will agree Scots are desperate for change. Murphy, insisting that another Labour government with Gordon Brown as prime minister and Alistair Darling as chancellor would have been quite different than the five years just seen under David Cameron, will agree that Scots are desperate for change.
He is expected to add: “We know Scotland cannot afford another five years of Tory government. But anyone can tell you what is wrong. This election can’t just be about that. It has to be about how we put it right, who has the best plan, and who is best placed to deliver that change.”He is expected to add: “We know Scotland cannot afford another five years of Tory government. But anyone can tell you what is wrong. This election can’t just be about that. It has to be about how we put it right, who has the best plan, and who is best placed to deliver that change.”
The Labour pledge card – a further repeat of the device first introduced by Tony Blair’s new Labour in 1997, will offer 10 policy promises that will effectively serve as a mini manifesto.The Labour pledge card – a further repeat of the device first introduced by Tony Blair’s new Labour in 1997, will offer 10 policy promises that will effectively serve as a mini manifesto.
Related: Jim Murphy pledges £1bn to win Scottish Labour voters back from SNPRelated: Jim Murphy pledges £1bn to win Scottish Labour voters back from SNP
It will offer:It will offer:
Murphy has struggled to close a substantial 17-point gap at national level between the SNP and Labour despite unveiling a series of heavily funded new policies, including one that Scotland will see more than £1bn in extra public spending if Labour wins.Murphy has struggled to close a substantial 17-point gap at national level between the SNP and Labour despite unveiling a series of heavily funded new policies, including one that Scotland will see more than £1bn in extra public spending if Labour wins.
But Labour is hoping that these pledges will help the party match and overtake SNP support in its 40 constituencies, where polling by ComRes for ITV last week suggested the gap between the two parties was much closer, at 6 points.But Labour is hoping that these pledges will help the party match and overtake SNP support in its 40 constituencies, where polling by ComRes for ITV last week suggested the gap between the two parties was much closer, at 6 points.
Murphy will face Sturgeon in two back-to-back televised Scottish leaders’ election debates later this week, alongside Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, and Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader.Murphy will face Sturgeon in two back-to-back televised Scottish leaders’ election debates later this week, alongside Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, and Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader.
Murphy hopes to peg Sturgeon back in those debates after her acclaimed and successful performance in last week’s seven-way debate on ITV. He believes she was not tested or challenged on SNP policies in government in Edinburgh.Murphy hopes to peg Sturgeon back in those debates after her acclaimed and successful performance in last week’s seven-way debate on ITV. He believes she was not tested or challenged on SNP policies in government in Edinburgh.
Labour believes Sturgeon is very vulnerable on NHS waiting lists, policing, student funding and cuts in college places.Labour believes Sturgeon is very vulnerable on NHS waiting lists, policing, student funding and cuts in college places.