“If you want a Labour Government, vote Labour” – Miliband to address the Scottish Trade Union Annual Congress

Today Ed Miliband will be speaking at he Scottish Trade Union Annual Congress tomorrow. As we reported last night, part of his speech will be used to draw attention to Labour’s NHS week (which includes pointing out the Tories’ unfunded promises on the health service). 

However, the Labour leader will also take this opportunity to set out Labour’s “radical” proposals for government and highlight the party’s focus on the working people of Scotland and Britain. This is part of a clear move to appeal to people in Scotland who are considering voting SNP.

This comes after polling continues to suggest that the SNP will take a substantial number of seats away from Labour in Scotland. Miliband will say that despite what the SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon says, the only way to “guarantee getting rid of a Tory government is to vote Labour”:

“The next Labour Government will end Tory austerity and make radical choices to change the lives of working people across Scotland.

“We will put working people first with an £8 minimum wage and an end to exploitative zero hours contracts.

“We will make fair choices. We will introduce a 50p tax rate for the wealthiest few, because those with the broadest shoulders should bear more of the burden.

“And we will respond to the call for change in Scotland. Labour’s Manifesto guaranteed that we will deliver our promises, devolve powers to Scotland and build a better Scotland for working families. We will introduce a Home Rule Bill to Parliament in the first 100 days of the next Labour Government, while the SNP still won’t say in their manifesto whether they rule out calling for another referendum in the next five years.

“Nicola Sturgeon is asking people to gamble on getting rid of a Tory government – the only way to guarantee getting rid of a Tory government is to vote Labour‎.”