Alex Salmond launches SNP's 'champions for Scotland' election campaign

Published on Saturday 6 March 2010 12:21

FIRST Minister Alex Salmond launched the SNP's General Election campaign today, criticising Westminster politics and pledging that his MPs will be "champions" working for people across Scotland.

• Alex Salmond arrives with SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson at the SNP election campaign launch at Dynamic earth, Edinburgh. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The Scottish leader was in Edinburgh to spread the message that the SNP intends to "put the decisions of Scotland's voters at the heart of the election".

Unveiling key themes in the campaign, he said that SNP MPs will be "local champions" and told voters "more Nats means less cuts".

Mr Salmond said: "At this election, more than ever before, Scotland needs champions.

"And so on polling day, we are not just choosing MPs in the House of Commons.

"We are choosing national champions to stand up for the people of Scotland.

"National champions and local champions, who will offer communities across our nation the voices that they need."

He also warned the London-based parties over plans to cut Scottish jobs and services.

"The London parties talk about cuts as though it was all about numbers on a balance sheet.

"But we know different. Behind those cuts will be real people, real services, real jobs.

"At this election, the choice is clear. We must do all we can to protect those people, those services and those jobs.

"The more SNP MPs elected, the stronger Scotland's position will be.

"Because at this election the message is simple.

"More Nats means less cuts."

An SNP spokesman said the campaign will focus on "the increasingly likely potential for a hung parliament and the importance of a strong Scottish voice at Westminster".

The party is also planning a series of community events in order to "take the pulse of Scotland".

The spokesman said research for the SNP suggested that nearly 50% of the electorate plan to vote on two issues, national and local champions.

Unpublished SNP polling in January confirmed the feedback from SNP campaign activity that voters have an appetite for both a "strong voice for Scotland and a focus on their concerns".

But Tory MSP David McLetchie said both the SNP and the Lib Dems were pinning their hopes on a hung parliament.

He said: "Voters do not want a hung parliament at Westminster. They want a strong and stable government to tackle the legacy of Labour's debt mountain.

Labour accused the SNP of launching their campaign "for a Tory government".

Scottish secretary Jim Murphy MP said: "The SNP are launching their campaign to inflict a Tory Government on the people of Scotland.

"Everyone knows that only two people can become Prime Minister: Gordon Brown or David Cameron.

"The SNP's voting record in Westminster shows that they are more than happy to support the Tories in their ambition to throw away a future that is fair for all in Scotland.

"The SNP do not have any chance in leading the next Government, but they have made it absolutely clear that they are more than happy to forget what the Tories did to Scotland when they were in the power and let them back into Government.

"A vote for the SNP will let the Tories in the back door – and that would do serious damage to the lives of people in Scotland."

Scottish leader Iain Gray MSP criticised Mr Salmond and said he only had a "negative and petty contribution" to make.

He said: "Scots know Alex Salmond and the SNP have nothing to offer in the general election.

"His obsession with a hung parliament is all about him and the SNP not the welfare of the whole country.

"That's why he wants the Tories to win.

"The SNP have shown over the last three years they cannot be trusted."

"People want a strong group of Scottish Conservative MPs at Westminster to stand up for Scotland's interests."

Mr McLetchie said the Tories – who have just one Scottish MP – were well placed to win 11 seats in the country.

Mr Salmond continued: "The people will decide whether Scotland is the winner. And the London parties would do well to remember that.

"Any party that takes the people for granted – any party that says Scotland's votes are irrelevant will pay a heavy price on polling day.

"Labour, Tory or Liberal – they have come together to try to cut Scotland and the SNP out of the election debates. Just as they are trying to carve Scotland out of this election.

"The pundits and London politicians think they know what is going to happen on polling day.

"They say it is all about Gordon or David, Labour or Tory, tweedledum or tweedledee.

"But they are wrong.

"These are the people's elections and what will matter are the people's votes.

"And the seats we are fighting, the constituencies we look to represent.

"These are not Labour seats, or Liberal seats or even SNP seats. They are not the possession of any one party.

"They are the people's seats. And it is the people of this country who will decide."