Dugdale can work with Tories but not Jeremy Corbyn

Commenting on the latest attacks on Jeremy Corbyn, the SNP have challenged Labour front-benchers to explain why they were happy to work alongside the Tories during the referendum campaign, but cannot contemplate working with someone from their own party who had been chosen by the Labour membership.

As reported today, candidate for the leadership in Scotland Kezia Dugdale has slammed UK leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn – claiming that he lacks the credentials to be Prime Minister and would leave Labour ‘carping from the sidelines’. This follows reports over the weekend that 8 members of Labour’s Shadow Cabinet – including Shadow Chancellor Chris Leslie – have indicated that they would not serve under Jeremy Corbyn.

This comes as Ken Macintosh – who is also running for the Labour leadership in Scotland – warned senior Labour figures to “back off and let the members decide” as their attacks on Mr Corbyn intensify. Mr Macintosh also repeated his claims to have had the Labour “party machine” in Scotland operating against him.

Commenting, SNP MSP Linda Fabiani said: "People in Scotland will be puzzled as to why Labour front-benchers who were happy to work hand-in-glove with the Tories during the referendum campaign are now saying they would refuse to work with one of their own MPs – even if he had been democratically chosen as leader by the Labour rank-and-file."

Ms Fabiani continued: "The fact that they seem more comfortable with the politics of the Tories than those of Mr Corbyn totally sums up the gulf between those at the top of the Labour hierarchy and ordinary working people. Rather than focussing on fighting the Tories, Labour are content to fight amongst themselves while meekly acquiescing to the Tory’s cuts agenda at Westminster.

"While Labour continues to look inward, the SNP is leading the opposition to the Tory government and its ideological assault on the poorest people in society – which is why more and more people in Scotland are putting their trust in us as we approach next year’s Scottish Parliament election and are rejecting Labour in their droves." Linda Fabiani added.

Jim Murphy is "running scared" in East Renfrewshire

With just 100 days to go until the general election, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has accused Jim Murphy of “running scared” of Westminster after the Labour leader continues to offer mixed messages about whether or not he will stand down as an MP. 

Asked at the weekend by the BBC's Andrew Neil on the Sunday Politics to give a categorical answer on whether he will stand for election to Westminster in May, Jim Murphy repeatedly refused, on a number of occasions and responded by saying “I’ll tell my constituents if the situation changes”.

Meanwhile after a weekend of what the SNP call "posturing on fracking", Jim Murphy’s Labour MPs failed to back a moratorium in Westminster. Friends of the Earth Scotland criticised Scottish Labour’s failure to live up to its warm words, saying “it was a surprise that Scottish Labour MPs seem to have mostly abstained, given the party’s new commitments over the weekend.”

Commenting, SNP candidate for East Renfrewshire Kirsten Oswald said: "There are now just 100 days to go until the Westminster election and Jim Murphy cannot even tell his constituents whether he will be standing or not. One minute the papers say he’s standing, the next he’s saying he might not. And in much the same way, one day he says Labour will oppose fracking and the next his MPs failed to vote for a moratorium. How is anyone meant to trust a word that Jim Murphy says?"

Continuing Ms Oswald commented: "Voters have a right to know what Jim Murphy will do and this constant shifting of his position simply takes them for granted. I look forward to contesting this seat with whoever Labour eventually puts forward, but this situation is rapidly turning into a farce for Labour – their own leader appears to be running scared of making a decision."

"Jim Murphy is out of time and must tell people in East Renfrewshire whether he will be standing in May or not." Kirsten Oswald added.

28 Scottish Labour MPs voted for more Tory cuts

It has been revealed 28 Scottish Labour MPs voted with the Tory-led government for its "Charter for Budget Responsibility" which will mean billions in of cuts and tax rises over the next five years.

List of Scottish Labour MPs voting with the Tory-led government on further cuts:

• Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire North)
• Willie Bain (Glasgow North East)
• Gordon Banks (Ochil and South Perthshire) 
• Anne Begg (Aberdeen South)
• Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway)
• Michael Connarty (Linlithgow and East Falkirk)
• Margaret Curran (Glasgow East)
• Iain Davidson (Glasgow South West)
• Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife)
• Brian Donohoe (Central Ayshire)
• Frank Doran (Aberdeen North)
• Gemma Doyle (West Dunbartonshire)
• Tom Greatrex (Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
• David Hamilton (Midlothian)
• Tom Harris (Glasgow South)
• Jimmy Hood (Lanark and Hamilton East)
• Cathy Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
• Iain MacKenzie (Inverclyde)
• Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Stathaven and Lesmahagow)
• Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch)
• Anne McGuire (Stirling)
• Graham Morrice (Livingston)
• Iain Murray (Edinburgh South)
• Pamela Nash (Airdrie and Shotts)
• Fiona O’Donnell (East Lothian)
• John Robertson (Glasgow North West)
• Frank Roy (Motherwell and Wishaw)
• Anas Sarwar (Glasgow Central)

Commenting, the SNP's Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie said: "Labour have shown their true colours in siding with the Tories, and it shows now even more clearly that only by voting SNP can Westminster's obsession with imposing austerity cuts - that just don't work - be changed. George Osborne is committed to continued austerity which will hit Scottish public services- and tonight he has been backed by Scottish Labour. The Scottish Labour MPs who voted tonight with the Tories represent some of the areas which have been hardest hit by government austerity measures, and it will be ordinary, hard-working people in their constituencies who will continue to suffer."

"The SNP in government has a strong record on protecting our public services and supporting public sector workers – including the recent funding announced for NHS boards across the country. But the impact of Westminster’s austerity agenda is continuing to be felt – and with more cuts being passed down the line , the strain on our vital public services can only increase." Mr Hosie added.

Scottish Labour divided over free school meals

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy and his Education spokesperson at Holyrood Iain Gray are at loggerheads over support for the SNP’s policy of free school meals for P1-3, it has emerged. Despite a press release from Scottish Labour yesterday in which Mr Gray condemned their introduction, Mr Murphy later stated he supported the proposals – repeatedly and wrongly claiming that his party had voted for them in the Scottish Parliament.

In reality, Labour repeatedly voted against the introduction of free school meals. On January 7 last year, Labour voted against the SNP Government motion to introduce free school meals. While Labour claimed this was because the motion mentioned independence, their own amendment specifically removed taking action on free school meals.

And during last year’s Stage 3 budget debate, Mr Gray singled out free school meals as a measure that Labour could not support, stating that the budget “wrongly in our view” prioritised the policy.

Stewart Maxwell, MSP,who convenes the Education Committee, said: "Labour are absolutely tying themselves in knots over a policy that should have been welcomed by their party from the very start. The whole saga has exposed the fact that Mr Murphy is a leader in Westminster who has no clue what his Holyrood shadow cabinet are up to. Just hours after his Education spokesperson Iain Gray bizarrely condemned the policy, Mr Murphy – wrongly and repeatedly – claimed on TV that Labour had supported the policy in the Scottish Parliament. He also claimed that Iain Gray shared his support – despite the obvious fact this is not the case.

"The reality is that Labour voted against free school meals at every turn – and even singled it out for specific criticism during a vote on last year’s budget. Organisations including Unison, Save the Children and Child Poverty Action Group have described free school meals as a key measure in tackling poverty – and the policy will benefit 135,000 children across Scotland. It will not be forgotten that Labour have been on the wrong side of this argument at every turn."

"If Mr Murphy wants to declare his support for free school meals, he must apprise himself of the full facts of Labour’s disastrous and long-standing opposition to the policy before doing so. As Labour’s new leader struggles to get to grips with the challenge facing him, it’s clear there’s a crisis of competence at the top of the party." Mr Maxwell added.

Scottish Labour's sums 'simply don't make sense'

Scottish Labour have shown that they cannot be trusted with Scotland’s finances or Scotland’s NHS after cursory scrutiny saw their spending claims fall apart, say the SNP. Despite claiming that a mansion tax would generate £1.2 billion across the whole of the UK, Labour in Scotland have claimed that they expect to see £250 million come to Scotland from the policy – more than 20 per cent of the total revenue raised.

The amount of additional funds transferred to Scotland under the Barnett Formula would depend on what proportion of this sum was spent on devolved areas – but even if £1.2 billion was spent in full on devolved areas Scotland would receive far less than the £250 million Labour in Scotland has claimed.

Meanwhile Labour’s promise of recruiting additional nurses has been described as a welcome desire to follow the SNP’s lead. Since the SNP took office, the number of whole time equivalent (WTE) qualified nurses and midwives in Scotland has increased by around 1,700.

Commenting, SNP Westminster Leader Angus Robertson MP said: "Labour may have a new leader in Scotland, but it seems that their policies remain as nonsensical as ever. While Labour’s desire to follow the SNP’s lead in recruiting more nurses is welcome, their sums simply don’t make sense. Even if every penny of the money Labour expects a mansion tax to generate was eligible for Barnett consequentials, it would see Scotland gain far less than what Jim Murphy is claiming. All Jim Murphy is showing with these ridiculous figures is that he cannot be trusted with Scotland’s finances or Scotland’s NHS."

"Since the SNP took office, the number of qualified nurses and midwives in Scotland’s NHS has increased by around 1,700 and the SNP is already committed to passing on Barnett consequentials from health spending to Scotland’s NHS, so this announcement does not promise any new money whatsoever. While Labour tries to pull the wool over people’s eyes by claiming it will spend the same money over and over again, we have delivered real progress for Scotland." Mr Robertson added

The proposed tax will target properties valued at more than £2million, despite criticism, even from inside Labour, that London and the South East will bear the brunt. Scotland will also be handed a disproportionate share of the takings under the Barnett Formula. Former Labour Cabinet minister Charles Clarke yesterday called the idea from Scottish Labour an "absurd proposition", while, Tory Deputy Chief Whip and MP for Chelsea and Fulham Greg Hands said: "Every voter in London should read Labour’s proposal for a homes tax in London to pay for the NHS in Scotland."

Labour didn't listen to voters "we should apologise"

The Shadow International Development Secretary Jim Murphy will formally launch his campaign to be Scottish Labour Leader and First Minister later today. Mr Murphy will say that Scottish "Labour failed to listen to the voters who rejected us in 2007 and 2011, and for that we should apologise."

Formerly launching his campaign Jim Murphy is expected to say: "Perhaps more than anyone I have heard what the Scottish people are saying. Over the summer I was in every corner of our beautiful country. I spent 100 days in some of the most beautiful, inspiring and exciting places. I met farmers and fishermen, nurses and carers, engineers and financiers. I met young people struggling to find a job and small business owners determined to create them. I spoke to proud parents who week after week were forced to set aside their pride to visit food banks so their kids could get a decent meal. I met so many people who weren’t in poverty but who were only just coping. One pay packet away from losing everything. 

"The referendum changed Scotland and my 100 days tour changed me. The places I visited reinforced my love for Scotland. But the people I met were clear what they wanted and that has left me unsatisfied and hungry for change. Scotland is my country. The country I want to lead. But if Labour wants to win we must first change ourselves. The Scottish people want change - they couldn't be clearer. They also want better and many want Labour to be part of that improvement. But when they look at us they think we've not listened. It sure looks like that from where they sit so who can blame them?

"I want to apologise because twice Scots have said they didn’t think we were good enough to govern in Scotland - in 2007 and 2011. We didn’t listen to them. That has to change. I want a Labour Party that is as proud and confident as the country we seek to govern. I want people to feel a sense of passion and pride in voting Labour again. But for that to happen I know that I have to apologise because too many Scots thought we weren't up to the job in the past."

"I know that Scottish Labour has to change if we are to govern in Scotland again. It's not our ideals that are out of kilter with Scotland. Scots have backed us to run the UK. All of our previous Scottish Labour Party Leaders are proud and passionate servants of our party and our country. Scots back us to run many of Scotland's great cities. Let's be honest, it's our vision for Scotland. Or more truthfully our lack of vision. We have been rejected and now we need to change."

Sarwar favoured to become Scottish Labour leader

Anas Sarwar is the favourite to replace Johann Lamont according to Ladbrokes. The interim leader of the party has been installed as the clear 2/1 favourite to replace Lamont in the wake of her resignation, with Kezia Dugdale (4/1), Gordon Brown (5/1) and Jim Muprhy (6/1) seen as the most likely options should Sarwar be looked over for the position on a permanent basis.

Labour are the 7/4 outsiders behind the SNP (2/5) when it comes to winning the most seats at the next Scottish election. It's 5/1 they manage to form a government with an overall majority.

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: "Sarwar's position as interim leader makes him a clear favourite. It would be no surprise at all to see Brown enter contention however given his stellar referendum performance."

Ladbrokes latest betting

Next Scottish Labour party leader
2/1 Anas Sarwar
4/1 Kezia Dugdale
5/1 Gordon Brown
6/1 Jim Murphy
10/1 Neil Findlay
12/1 Drew Smith
12/1 Douglas Alexander
16/1 Jenny Marra
16/1 Jackie Baillie

Scottish parliamentary election
Most seats
2/5 Scottish National Party
7/4 Labour

Overall majority
5/6 No overall majority
7/4 Scottish National Party
5/1 Labour

Scottish poll shock for Labour as their leader Johann Lamont is on course to lose her seat

The Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont’s leadership is being question as the latest poll, shows that on these figures even she would lose her seat at the next Holyrood election. The Sunday Times/Panelbase poll puts the SNP a full 18 points ahead of Labour in the constituency vote, and 23 points ahead in the regional vote. Translated into seats, this means the SNP would return in 2016 with 71 seats – two more than in the 2011 landslide win - with Labour down four on just 33 seats.

Detailed analysis of the poll shows that Ms Lamont, former Labour leader Iain Gray, and senior backbencher Duncan McNeil would all lose their seats to the SNP. The scale of the SNP’s lead is such that it now has more support than the Tories, Labour and the Liberal Democrats, combined or as the SNP call them the "no" parties. Johann Lamont’s leadership has been called into question on a number of occasions. Her controversial Cuts Commission speech has alienated many Labour supporters, and more recently she has been silent on Labour’s selection crisis in Falkirk.

Commenting on the latest poll, the SNP Sandra White MSP said: "This poll is a remarkable vote of confidence in the SNP – with an extraordinary 18-point poll lead more than six years into office - but it also puts the spotlight on Johann Lamont’s failure to make any positive impact as Labour leader. The SNP have even more support in this poll than our 2011 Holyrood victory, and Labour has gone even further backwards - to the extent that Johann Lamont would lose her own Pollok seat to the SNP, and former leader Iain Gray would lose his East Lothian seat."

Continuing Ms White commented: Ms Lamont was supposed to be the first leader of all of Labour in Scotland - including their MPs at Westminster - but she has been invisible during the crisis engulfing Labour in Falkirk, making it clear that Scottish Labour is still very much London-led. But it’s not just the Falkirk situation about which Ms Lamont has been silent – across a range of issues, from Trident to tuition fees, Ms Lamont seems unwilling or unable to tell anyone what she really thinks. And of course, her decision to align Labour with the Tories in the anti-independence campaign is proving to be as toxic for Labour as it has been for the Lib Dems at Westminster."

Concluding Ms White said: "While the SNP continue to deliver after over six years in Government – with the lowest crime in decades, 1,000 additional police officers, one of the lowest youth unemployment rates in the EU, better employment figures than the UK as a whole, free travel for the over-60s, and no tuition fees for young Scots - Johann Lamont’s lack of ambition for Scotland is becoming increasingly unsustainable for Labour."

Johann Lamont facing "Nick Clegg moment" over fees

The Scottish National Party claim that the Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont is facing her own ‘Nick Clegg moment’, Education Secretary Michael Russell has said ahead of a vote on free university tuition in the Scottish Parliament. In a letter to the Scottish Labour Leader, Mr Russell highlighted Labour’s previous support for NUS Scotland’s ‘Reclaim your voice’ pledge. Labour backed the pledge when Johann Lamont was Deputy Leader, committing the party to not introduce tuition fees in Scotland, and the party’s website continues to boast of “no price tag on education”.

Commenting, Mr Russell said: "The Scottish Government believes that access to education should be based on ability to learn, not the ability to pay. That was the position the public backed and it was the position on which Johann Lamont and every other Labour MSP stood at the last election. Now, however, every speech Labour makes on the subject takes them further away from that simple, fair principle. Most recently, Johann Lamont’s own Deputy, Anas Sarwar, seemed to make clear that they were breaking their pledge and following in the Tories footsteps down the road to charging fees."

"This is despite fees disastrous impact on the numbers applying to university south of the border. In stark contrast, here in Scotland we have record numbers in Higher Education and are writing into law Widening Access Agreements with our universities. Now, Johann Lamont faces her own, personal ‘Nick Clegg moment’. In a single vote in Parliament, she can vote with the SNP and back no tuition fees, or she can vote with the Tories and betray the principles on which she was elected. Her own party’s website boasts of ‘no price tag on education’. Now, we will find out whether she will live up to that boast."