Jim Devine launches broadside

Labour's Jim Devine today launched an attack on Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy. The assault came after Kennedy failed to apologise to West Lothian's hard working families who would be hit the hardest under the local income tax.

In a further move, Jim Devine has attacked Charles Kennedy over the Liberal Democrats and SNP's persistent negativity and demoralising statements about St John's hospital. This has led to the chair of the health board writing to each candidate outlining the future of the local hospital.

Jim Devine said:

"The Liberals and the SNP are working together on damaging plans for a Local Income Tax. Charles Kennedy knows this would cost West Lothian families hundreds of pounds extra every year, and the Liberal Candidate has admitted so. I am totally opposed to the Liberal and SNP high tax plans and hundreds of pounds extra in charges. Charles Kennedy must come clean on how much extra a nurse and a fireman will pay under his plans."

On local health services, Jim Devine said:

"I am absolutely sickened by the duplicity of the SNP and the Liberals over the issue of St John's hospital. They have spent this whole campaign trying to invent fears over local services which have only served to demoralise staff and patients and undermine confidence in our NHS."

"I have devoted all of my working life to the NHS and will not stand by and watch local people get a poorer service. Labour are the party of more money for the NHS, more doctors, more nurses. The unholy alliance of the SNP and Liberals are determined to undermine the NHS and it is outrageous. I sincerely hope they get the punishment they deserve on Thursday and local people give a vote of confidence to the NHS, a vote for public services and a vote for Labour."

Scottish Labour Party