Labour's Shambolic Week

The SNP has called on Labour to set out exactly what it stands for after a shambolic week that saw the party make a series of contradictory statements regarding vital policies for the people of Scotland. 

This week Labour's confusion has spiralled out of control as the party's politicians have:

- Voted against the Scottish Governments extension of free school meals and confirmed that Labour would do not support free school meals for P1-P3’s against the support of Child Poverty Action Group, the EIS, and trade unions
Voted against increasing childcare provision in Scotland

- Suggested the Scottish Government should not have matched business rates in the UK at the same time as saying they don't agree with Scotland having higher rates than the rest of the UK.

- Said they would consider cutting the Small Business Bonus Scheme which helps over 92,000 businesses. 

- Suggested raising household bills by hiking council tax but then denying they would increase the tax. 

Commenting, SNP MSP Annabelle Ewing said:

"Do Labour have any policies left? We've only been back in parliament for one week and already they've appeared to throw out five policies they once claimed to be for - free school meals, extension of childcare, the council tax freeze, the small business bonus scheme and lower business rates. 

"The pressure is on Johann Lamont to explain exactly what - if anything - Labour stand for in the new year. 

"They say they support free school meals and the extension of childcare provision. But actions speak louder than words and by voting against these policies this week it's clear they cannot possibly support the measures. 

"The people of Scotland deserve to know the truth - the mixed messages on business rates, the small business bonus scheme and council tax bills are unacceptable.
 
“Whilst arguing against free school meals goes against what many individual Labour members – including individual MSPs believe is right.
 
"It's time for Johann Lamont to show her leadership and set out exactly what Labour's position on these things are. 

"Labour's ducking and dodging on these issues underline how we cannot trust a word they say."