The SNP has warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s values are “far, far
removed” from Scotland’s values – after confirming a Labour
government would implement more austerity-driven
policies.
Ahead of his speech to the Resolution Foundation, the Labour
leader has said that he will not “turn on the spending taps” if
his party win the next General Election, despite thirteen years
of devastating Tory austerity policies fuelling the cost of
living crisis.
In the last two days, Sir has:
- Praised former Tory Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for
delivering “meaningful change” to the UK.
- Claimed that the UK has "failed to realise the possibilities of
Brexit".
- Committed to continuing austerity.
Commenting, the SNP Westminster leader, said:
“In the last two days Sir has not only celebrated
Thatcher's damaging legacy, he is now promoting a Thatcherite
future.
“Once again, it is clear that his values are far, far removed
from Scotland’s values – and that only with independence can
Scotland be the fairer, wealthier nation we all want to see.
“In a week where he praised Margaret Thatcher – a Prime Minister
who devastated the lives of tens of thousands of Scots – and
Brexit, a Tory-driven obsession which has wreaked havoc on
businesses and households, it’s clear that Sir and Labour’s values do not
align with Scotland.
“Austerity, Brexit and Margaret Thatcher – these are the values
that motivate Westminster politicians like Sir and , and Scotland wants none of
it.
"The Tories and Labour rejected our calls for
a £400 energy rebate, for mortgage interest
tax relief and for action on food
prices – a perfect demonstration of why Scotland urgently
needs the powers to grow the economy and boost household
incomes.
"Independent European countries like Scotland are wealthier and
fairer than the UK - so the question is: why not Scotland?"
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
': Labour won't turn on the
spending taps if it wins next election' - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/03/keir-starmer-labour-wont-turn-on-spending-taps-wins-election
' praises Margaret Thatcher in
bid to woo Tory voters' - https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/03/keir-starmer-praises-margaret-thatcher-in-bid-to-woo-tory-voters
'Voters have been betrayed on Brexit and immigration. I
stand ready to deliver' -
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/12/02/voters-have-been-betrayed-on-brexit-and-immigration/
