Alex Salmond, 2 nd November 1998.
| 'Eddie George let the cat out of the bag when he said that unemployment in the north was a price worth paying for dealing with an inflationary problem in south-east England. That is a disaster for Scotland, but is a direct consequence of Gordon Brown's south-east of England economic agenda.' Alex Salmond, 2 nd November 1998. | |
The poll for the European parliament in three weeks is being seen as an indicator of the parties' fortunes in the run-up to next year's elections for the Holyrood parliament.
Alex Salmond, the SNP leader, said at the start of the party's campaign in Aberdeen yesterday: "This is a straight choice between London Labour and Scotland's party. It is a two-way contest and Labour, in their private briefings, are already conceding defeat."
The by-election was called after the death of Allan Macartney, who won the seat for the SNP at the last European election in 1994. It is being contested for the SNP by Ian Hudghton, who was Mr Macartney's constituency agent and is the leader of Angus Council.
Mr Salmond said: "This is the first real test of the Labour Party in the 18 months it has been in government. But in many ways this election is actually going to set the pace and tone for next year's Scottish parliament elections.
"The result of this by-election will determine the nature of the run-up to the general election next year. And while I am not forecasting an easy fight, I am confidently forecasting a victory for Scotland's party at this election."
Mr Salmond said the north-east of Scotland would be playing a "cockpit role" in the path of Scottish politics during the next seven months. He insisted that Labour had already admitted defeat in "behind-the-scenes briefings" and said the Government knew it was about to be harshly judged.
John Swinney, the SNP treasury spokesman, said: "When we fought the by-election in Paisley after the death of Gordon McMaster, we couldn't really attack Labour.
"They hadn't been in power long and people did not really feel they were responsible for anything. Now the real picture of Labour in power has been drawn and people can see that for themselves."
The north-east of Scotland European constituency covers a large area, taking in ten parliamentary constituencies. Michael Russell, the SNP's chief executive, promised a "very mobile campaign" that would take Mr Hudghton to every corner of the constituency.
Mr Salmond said: "All that Labour has to offer is London-based policies, including high interest rates and high sterling, which are damaging the north-east and the rest of Scotland.
"Eddie George let the cat out of the bag when he said that unemployment in the north was a price worth paying for dealing with an inflationary problem in south-east England. That is a disaster for Scotland, but is a direct consequence of Gordon Brown's south-east of England economic agenda."
Mr Hudghton said: "I am standing in this by-election because I want to finish the job started by Allan and because the SNP, with our flagship policy of independence in Europe, offer the best future for the people of Scotland."
The election is on 26 November and, in addition to Mr Hudghton, is being fought by Kathleen Walker Shaw (Labour), Struan Stevenson (Conservative), Keith Raffan (Scottish Liberal Democrat), Robin Harper (Green) and Harvey Duke (Scottish Socialist Party).
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