LIBDEMS TRYING TO WISH AWAY 5 YEARS OF CUTS
Scottish Greens say today's manifesto launch by the Libdems is nothing more than an attempt to wish away the last five years' worth of austerity cuts that have worsened inequality and damaged the economy.
The Scottish Greens, who are standing in the majority of Scotland's 59 seats, launched their manifesto two weeks ago with pledges of a £10 minimum wage for all ages by 2020, publicly-owned railways and opposition to the TTIP trade deal, and more powers for Scotland and local communities.
Membership of the Scottish Greens has surged to almost 9,000, well ahead of the Scottish Libdems' 2,800. In last year's European election the Scottish Greens beat the Libdems in 21 of the 32 council areas, polling 13,000 more votes across Scotland.
Ross Greer, Scottish Green MP candidate in East Dunbartonshire, said:
"The Libdems have spent the past five years cheerleading the Tories' austerity agenda and now they're trying to wish away all those cuts that have done so much damage in our communities. Rather than raising the personal allowance which gives everyone including the wealthiest more money in their pocket we need to see a higher minimum wage for those on low pay and we need a wealth tax on those with assets worth millions.
"To hear the Libdems talk of a low carbon economy shows they haven't a clue what this looks like. They, like other parties, have bent over backwards to give bungs to the oil industry and they are pro-fracking. The need for a transition towards clean technology and jobs in new sectors has never been clearer, and that's why electing more Green MPs is so important."
Isla O'Reilly, Scottish Green MP candidate in Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, said:
"The Libdems have little credibility left and they have nothing to say about protecting the public services that we all rely on, and which have been eroded by the government they've been a part of. They're still failing to address the real cause of the economic crash, the banking system, and I have no doubt they will pay the price for presiding over an economy where foodbanks are rife and where communities remain deprived."
Scottish Greens 2015 manifesto and candidates