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Friday 25 April 2014

Shadow Cabinet to go '500 miles' to campaign for Scotland to remain in the UK

Ed Miliband's Shadow Cabinet will travel over 500 miles across Scotland today, as part of the campaign for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom. Labour's Shadow Cabinet will meet at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, as part of two days of campaigning across Scotland. Ed Miliband will also lead a public meeting in Motherwell with Scottish Labour Leader, Johann Lamont MSP and Shadow Scottish Secretary, Margaret Curran MP.

Shadow Cabinet members will be taking Labour's message from the Highlands to the Borders. They will be visiting Scottish businesses, landmarks and campaigning with Labour Party and Better Together activists across the country.

Ed Miliband said: "I'm in Scotland today campaigning with my Shadow Cabinet to keep Scotland in the United Kingdom. I don't have a vote in September, but I care deeply about the decision people across Scotland will make, and that's why I wanted to bring my team to Scotland today. I want to rebuild our country in the cause of social justice, make the changes needed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, and create a more successful economy that works for hardworking people here in Scotland and across the UK.

"But I don't believe you can serve the cause of social justice and that of narrow nationalism. There are people in every part of the UK who need decent jobs, a government that will stand up for them against powerful interests like the energy companies and an NHS that is there when we need it most. If Scotland was to separate from the rest of the UK, our country would be in a race to the bottom with the Nationalists competing on lower tax rates for the top and lower wages or living standards for everyone else.

"That's why working people in the UK will be worse off without Scotland and working people in Scotland will be worse off without the UK. I want Scotland to continue to have the best of both worlds - strength, security and social justice as part of the UK, alongside a strong Scottish Parliament with more devolved powers. That needs a Labour government. And that is what we are determined to deliver."


Shadow Scottish Secretary, Margaret Curran, said: "This is a big week for Labour in Scotland. Earlier this week, Gordon Brown gave his five positive reasons for Scotland remaining part of the UK and showed how we can have the best of both worlds with a strong Scottish Parliament and the protection of being part of the United Kingdom. And today, members of the Shadow Cabinet will take our message to communities across Scotland. We will be saying loud and clear why Labour believes Scots shouldn't vote to leave the UK. The entire Labour Party across the UK is behind our campaign to make sure Scotland remains part of the United Kingdom.

"Scots face a choice in September between a future based on progressive values, or nationalist values. Between a future of devolution or separation. And between a party that wants to take us out of Britain and a Labour Party that wants to change Britain for good. This is about a fight for a better future for hardworking families across Scotland and the best way to deliver that is inside the United Kingdom with Labour Governments in the UK and Scottish Parliaments."