 | 'Voters face a straightfoward choice in this campaign. They can vote for more failure and let-down from London Labour or for two strong voices to speak up for Anniesland and Scotland at Holyrood and
Westminster, two voices to speak up for pensioners, in favour of fair fuel
prices, and against the privatisation of our skies.' SNP leader John Swinney, 22 nd November 2000. |  |
Brian Wilson, minister of state, pleaded to voters: "Pay your respects to Donald Dewar by turning out to vote, whatever party you favour. Let's make sure that the result reflects the true will of the people of Anniesland and is not distorted by a poor turnout. That is what Donald would have wanted."
Mr Wilson added: "Turnout will be absolutely crucial so it is vital that you make sure both your votes count for Labour. It would be a terrible mistake to let the Nationalists in through the back door because of a low turnout.
"Labour is already delivering for pensioners, for working families, for schoolchildren, and everyone who uses the NHS. But we recognise that there is a tremendous amount to do, and it can best be achieved by electing Labour to both Holyrood and Westminster."
The candidates, Bill Butler and John Robertson spent the last day of the campaign meeting voters, on the streets, at local shopping centres, and on the doorsteps while their main opponents, the SNP's Tom Chalmers and Grant Thoms claimed a late swing would see them seize the Holyrood and Westminster seats.
John Swinney, the party leader, launched what he called a 36-hour push to win the seats, claiming: "Voters face a straightfoward choice in this campaign.
"They can vote for more failure and let-down from London Labour or for two strong voices to speak up for Anniesland and Scotland at Holyrood and Westminster, two voices to speak up for pensioners, in favour of fair fuel prices, and against the privatisation of our skies."
Mr Chalmers claimed 10,000 households in the constituency were excluded from the new Water Charge Assistance Scheme. He said: "The scheme was heralded as a fantastic way to reduce water bills for those struggling to pay them but, as usual, the reality is very different.
For the parties likely to be fighting for third place, Labour's campaign rooms next to Anniesland station was the magnet for the final day of campaigning. The Conservatives were so pleased with their recent stunt of dressing up a party worker in a chicken suit to highlight their claim that Labour are hiding from the hustings, that they repeated it outside the offices yesterday with candidates Dr Kate Pickering and Dorothy Luckhurst.
Following Labour's leaflet and poster urging Liberal Democrat supporters to vote Labour for the sake of the coalition, a posse of Lib Dems including candidates Judith Fryer and Chris McGinty showed their defiance with their own leaflet saying: "Don't be conned by Labour." Scottish Socialist Party candidates Rosie Kane and Charlie McCarthy paid a campaign visit to Gartnavel Hospital.
-Nov 23rd
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