Rumbles accuses SNP of by-election double standards (Paisley Liberal Democrats)

Paisley Liberal Democrats <smcdonald21@ntlworld.com>

Rumbles accuses SNP of by-election double standards

July 30, 2009 11:09 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Mike Rumbles MSP has accused the SNP of absolute double standards for refusing to give the people of Banff and Buchan a by-election to elect a full-time MP.

New figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that Alex Salmond's attendance at Westminster has reached a new low.

Mr Rumbles' calls come after SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament attacking the Labour Government in Westminster for delaying the Glasgow North East by-election.

Mr Rumbles has lodged an amendment to Anne McLaughlin's motion highlighting the SNP's double standards and suggesting that a by-election in Banff and Buchan could be held on the same day as the Glasgow North East by-election.

Commenting, Mr Rumbles said:

"This is total double standards from the SNP.

"I quite agree that it is unacceptable for Labour to leave the people of Glasgow North-East without an MP for so long. But, it is rich for the SNP to accuse anyone of 'running scared'.

"It is the SNP who are afraid of holding a by-election. The people of Banff and Buchan have gone two years without a full time MP to represent them. This is longer than any other constituency in Scotland has ever had to put up with.

"New figures show that since becoming First Minister Alex Salmond has only been in Westminster for 48 votes out of 659. He has only voted at Westminster on six days in the last year. He is obviously part-time.

"Alex Salmond has missed key votes on issues such as the Iraq War Inquiry and the US-UK Extradition Treaty. It is clear that the people of Banff and Buchan are losing out on representation.

"This is unacceptable. The SNP cannot be allowed to complain about lack of representation in Glasgow whilst failing to represent Banff and Buchan full-time. They can settle this by allowing the by-election for Banff and Buchan to be held on the same day as the one for Glasgow North-East.

"The First Minister must stand down as an MP immediately."

Ends.