Launching the Scottish National Party’s campaign for the Aberdeen Donside by-election, SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond said that only a vote for the SNP would support the key policies and public services which the people of Donside rely on – such as the Council Tax freeze, free personal care, the bus pass for over-60-year-olds, no prescription charges, and free education for young people.
Mr Salmond said:
“Delivering for Donside – Working for You. That is the SNP’s track record and pledge for all the people of this constituency.
“Brian Adam was an outstanding MSP for Donside, and a passionate supporter of an independent Scotland. He was re-elected two years ago on a manifesto pledge to freeze the Council Tax for the lifetime of this parliament, and support core policies which improve people’s quality of life – such as free personal care, the bus pass for over-60-year-olds, no prescription charges, and free education for young folk.
“I know these are local priorities because I’ve been meeting community groups and listening to people on the doorsteps.
“These policies require to be supported each and every year through the Scottish Parliament’s budget process – and Mark McDonald is the only candidate who can unequivocally pledge to vote for them if he is returned to continue Brian’s legacy.
“In tough times, these services are a social contract between the Scottish Government and the people we represent.
“Labour and the other parties would tear up that social contract, and a vote for them in this by-election would jeopardise these vital services.
“The Tories and Lib Dems represent Westminster’s failed austerity agenda of slash and burn – and Labour are the party of the Cuts Commission.
“When the Council Tax freeze, free personal care and bus pass for older folk, free education for young Scots, and no prescription charges came to the budget vote in February, the SNP voted for them – and the opposition parties all voted against.
“Only a vote for Mark McDonald and the SNP will support ‘the people’s policies’ in Donside.”
SNP Aberdeen Donside by-election candidate Mark McDonald said:
“Brian Adam delivered for Donside, and the SNP are delivering for Aberdeen – under the SNP a billion pounds of investment has been spent or committed for key projects in the city such as the by-pass, improvements to the Haudagain roundabout, a new generation of social housing and modernisation, the Aberdeen Sports Village, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the new Dental School delivered in 2009, and four new schools already opened in Donside alone.
“Brian Adam always campaigned for a fair deal for Aberdeen, and the SNP have delivered millions more for the city in a new local government funding formula – which central belt Labour politicians opposed. And Brian ensured that vital child cancer and neuro-surgery services continued to be delivered in Aberdeen – after the previous Lab/Lib Scottish Executive had placed them in doubt.
“As a resident of this constituency, my pledge is to work tirelessly to build on Brian’s legacy – and the SNP’s record of delivery.”