The Liberal Democrat councillor for Rutherglen South has criticised Labour’s campaign tactics in the Rutherglen by-election.
Robert Brown’s criticism comes after Shadow Secretary of State of Scotland Margaret Curran made a visit to Rutherglen in support of the campaign, and endorsed Labour candidate Gerard Killen.
But Mr Brown maintains the Scottish Liberal Democrats have high hopes of victory on February 14. He said: “Labour appears only to be interested in national power politics, using the people of Rutherglen South as a pawn in this regard. This should be about local people and local issues.
“Liberal Democrats are fighting for the issues that matter to people, such as the need to improve the Springhall housing environment, tackle road traffic dangers across the area and sustain the future of our local shopping centres.”
But Mr Killen said: “Robert Brown’s negative comments will only rebound. It’s little wonder he wants to avoid talking about national issues given the massive unpopularity of the Lib-Dems working with the Tories and approving cuts to maternity pay, and cuts to child tax credits. These are all issues which are coming up time and again on the doorstep.
“I am standing for local council because I care deeply about my local area and I am delighted to have the support of a strong Labour team. It is a Labour-controlled council that continues to deliver for Rutherglen South with new housing, new schools, new care homes and improvements to roads. I’m standing because I passionately want that work to continue in areas like Springhall.
“I would be most interested to hear the opinion of the Lib Dem candidate on the idea of treating the voters as ‘pawns’ as someone with no connection to the area before this by-election. The people of Rutherglen South have heard more from Robert Brown these past few weeks than they have from the Lib Dem candidate.”
But Mr Brown said the by-election should be primarily about local issues.
And Councillor Brown criticised both Labour and the SNP for using the by-election as part of their national “ping-pong”.
He said: “Labour and the SNP appear only to be interested in national power politics, using the people of Rutherglen South as a pawn in this regard. This should be about local people and local issues.
“What matters is electing a good local councillor to fight for the area, not just another Labour councillor who will look good in the statistics.
“Liberal Democrats are fighting for the issues that matter to people, such as the need to improve the Springhall housing environment, tackle road traffic dangers across the area and sustain the future of our local shopping centres.
“Our candidate David Baillie is a liberal voice who has a strong track record of action on fighting for local people. I look forward to working with him after February 14.”
