Labour fears backlash over expenses row

Published on Monday 18 May 2009 14:38

LABOUR today admitted major parties could be snubbed by voters in the European election as it launched its Scottish campaign in Glasgow.

The launch is set against a backdrop of low poll ratings for Labour and the continuing row over Westminster expenses.

David Martin, who is seeking re-election to the European Parliament, said he feared a low turnout. And Scots Secretary Jim Murphy warned of the danger that the far-right BNP could pick up disillusioned voters.

The party said today it aims to put jobs and the economy at the heart of its campaign, and attacked both the Tories and the SNP.

Mr Martin told the launch at the Glasgow Science Centre: "We think we have a good message and our message, apart from the positive element of our campaign, is that this is an election where you do not make soft choices or use it as protest vote.

"This is an election about putting people in place who will work for a secure and better future for this country."

Mr Martin said later he feared the public may go beyond anger to an indifference to mainstream politics that would benefit fringe parties.

"My fear is that we are going to get a lot of people who will just stay at home and that we will get a lower turnout than normal for the European election," said Mr Martin.

And Mr Murphy said: "I am not making any predictions – we will win the number of seats that the Scottish public give us, and we will fight for every vote."

And he pointed to Labour's victory last year in the Glenrothes by-election where it held that seat against predictions.

He acknowledge the Westminster expenses scandal had damaged "the whole system" but said this affected every party.

"The worry would be that public will say 'none of the above' and vote for the fanatics of the BNP", he said.

"We all understand people's frustration but a vote for the BNP is a vote for the politics of hate and racism and holocaust denial."

The Scottish turnout in the last European elections in 2004 was 30.75% but in 1999 it was even lower at 24.7%

The last European election saw seven MEPs elected in Scotland – two Labour, two SNP, two Tories and one Liberal Democrat – but the total number of Scottish seats has been reduced to six.

At today's launch Mr Martin said: "The pressing issue is the economy. Labour MEPs are determined to play a part in creating a fairer Scotland where we can get back on track and fight for jobs."

And Labour leader Iain Gray said: "There is no division of responsibility for getting out of recession because there are no Scotland-only solutions. We have to work together across the UK and across Europe, and focus on jobs."