INDYREF: CURRAN SPEECH PROVES WESTMINSTER HAS FAILED
Patrick Harvie, Green MSP for Glasgow and Co-convener of the Scottish Greens, says today's speech by Labour's shadow Scottish secretary Margaret Curran proves that Westminster has failed to tackle inequality.
Mr Harvie says independence is a chance for Scotland to show a different way is possible.
Margaret Curran said today that the best way to tackle inequality isn’t with independence and she claimed that discussion about inequality in Scotland has been "shut down".
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Margaret Curran manages to claim that the debate on inequality is being 'shut down', yet nothing could be further from the truth. It's less than two weeks after her own Labour colleagues at Holyrood supported a Green-led debate on the very issue of inequality.
"From the Green Yes ideas on jobs and wages to the papers being published by the Jimmy Reid Foundation and others, there is no shortage of passion and creativity in the debate about how to tackle inequality. All we need is the power to act, and that's what a Yes vote will give us.
Mr Harvie added:
"There is great wealth within the UK, but to suggest it's being redistributed is nonsense when we have children in poverty and families relying on food banks. Indeed during Labour's years in power the wealthiest managed to grab an ever bigger share of national wealth. Even now, Labour's shadow business secretary seems to think the party should be focused on helping a tiny minority to become millionaires.
"Margaret Curran reveals one of the most compelling reasons for left-leaning voters to say Yes to independence with her admission that inequality has been debated for generations. This proves Westminster has failed. Independence is a chance for Scotland to show a different way is possible."
Wealth and Income Inequality debate, 7 May
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab): "I welcome the opportunity to debate wealth and income inequality and I thank Patrick Harvie for bringing the subject to the chamber."