28 September 2009

Mike Robb, the Labour Party candidate for Inverness Nairn Badenoch and Strathspey today challenged Danny Alexander MP to spell out how the "savage cuts " in public services proposed by his party leader, Nick Clegg will impact public services and investment in Inverness and across the Highlands.

Speaking in Edinburgh today, where he attended a business conference (addressed by First Minster Alex Salmond) on Scotland’s economic future, Mr Robb commented:

"Inverness and the Highland economy is already facing a tough public expenditure regime - the Council is looking to trim its budget by £60m over the next 3 years - as we start to pay the price of the SNP's political programme".

"Now we hear from LibDem leader Nick Clegg and his Chief of Staff Danny Alexander, that the LibDems are looking to make "cuts that are savage and bold" in public expenditure. They appear to be in a bidding war with the Tories over who can make the deepest cuts. Even the Tories have not gone as far as the Liberals are now intending ."

"While Labour seeks to minimise cuts, protect services and investment to ensure economic recovery, the Tories and Liberals are trying to out do each other over the depth of cuts they will impose".

"Danny Alexander cannot escape responsibility for this. He is Nick Clegg’s Chief of Staff with responsibility for preparing the LibDem election manifesto. In June, Mr Alexander confirmed that "spending cuts will hit the poor hardest". He needs to be honest with the people of Inverness about what the LibDems are proposing and spell out exactly how the LibDems proposed "savage cuts" will be made in the Highlands, which public services will go and which bits of the voluntary sector will be affected. "

"Local people will not be impressed the next time Mr Alexander argues for a new investment or an improved service".

"Now we know that there is really no difference between the LibDems and David Cameron’s Tories when its comes to destroying front-line public services. If the Tories get back into power next year then we already know what to expect. Now Danny Alexander and the LibDems seem ready to help them every step of the way."