Salmond and Miliband "both untrustworthy" on social justice - SSP press release 30-01-2012
As Alex Salmond and Ed Miliband spar over who can best deliver social justice in Scotland both men were today accused of being “untrustworthy” by SSP leader Colin Fox
Colin said:
"The truth is that while Alex Salmond and Ed Miliband are on different sides on Scottish independence they are united in their determination to protect the interests of big business and to continue to pamper the rich leaving the interests of Scotland's working class majority behind.
"Last week Mr Salmond was in London reassuring the City an Independent Scotland would look much the same as it does now.
"This week he is placating Michele Mone by promising to slash Corporation Tax levels to near those of tax havens in an Independent Scotland.
"Meanwhile Labour leader Ed Miliband, fresh from supporting the Tories unprecedented cuts in public services, their outrageous attacks on working people's pensions and the odious 'cap' on benefits, appears in Glasgow to pose as some guardian of social justice.
"It won't wash. Neither of these men can be trusted on social justice. Beyond Independence what is the difference between Labour, the SNP or the Tories on these issues?
“Salmond favours cutting tax for the rich even further in the hope that if you bribe enough rich men and women they will create a raft of low paid, non union jobs for a grateful impoverished public.
"Miliband argues that Scotland has a better chance of escaping its appalling levels of child poverty, fuel poverty, grotesque inequalities by remaining inside the UK.
"One thing is clear neither of these men has the slightest intention of eradicating Scotland’s bitterly entrenched social divisions and injustices.
"Unlike both these untrustworthy politicians the SSP wants an independent Socialist Scotland, one where the rich pay their share for a change and where concerted action is taken to raise the living standards of millions, to end child poverty and fuel poverty, to protect the vulnerable and harness Scotland’s vast natural resources for the best interests of all the people and the planet.
"The SSP completely rejects Miliband’s contention that the UK led Labour or Salmond’s Independent Scotland controlled by big business will ever deliver social justice. That requires Independence, not to serve the wealthy few, but to prioritise the vast majority facing falling wages and pensions, slashed jobs.
"It needs radically different, socialist policies capable of serving the many not the tiny rich minority."