Robert Brown gears up for Rutherglen challenge

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Apr 2007

The contest has officially begun for the Parliamentary elections on May the 3rd and Robert Brown, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Glasgow Rutherglen is feeling confident about gains for the party in the Rutherglen seat.

The Liberal Democrats have long seen Rutherglen as amongst their best prospects in the West of Scotland. The Party stands second to Labour at all levels of election across the Rutherglen constituency, and many opinion polls have shown support for Labour is falling.

Robert Brown said:

"The feeling at the moment amongst Liberal Democrats all over Scotland is overwhelmingly positive and no more so than in Glasgow Rutherglen. Since the opening of the Scottish Parliament, Liberal Democrats in government have secured many successes for the Scottish people; free personal care for the elderly, the removal of tuition fees, more freedom of Information and cut price bus travel for young people.

"People of Rutherglen feel let down by Labour. You only have to look at the differences between Scotland and England to see what the Liberal Democrats have delivered for Scotland. For example, in England, Labour have brought in Tuition fees for students. The Liberal Democrats have made sure there are no fees or top-up fees for Scottish students.

"We've carried out our pledges, got things done and for the next parliamentary session we promise more. We promise 1,000 extra community police officers, 100 new health centres, free nursery places for two year olds, more facilities for young people, a crack down on anti social behaviour and 1,000 more teachers to cut class sizes.

"Its clear that Labour have run out of ideas, and the SNP's sums just don't add up. This election is about the quality of government in Scotland. The Liberal Democrats are the only party who can be trusted to deliver for Scotland."

Mr. Brown has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999, for the Glasgow regional list. He has been the Deputy Minister for Education and Young People on the Scottish Executive since 2006.

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