JACKIE Baillie has been skewered for attempting to claim credit for Government policies despite Scottish Labour’s protests they “don’t care” who gets praised for progressive policies.
Anas Sarwar’s deputy was interviewed on BBC Good Morning Scotland on Wednesday to discuss the Programme for Government unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon yesterday.
The Programme for Government is the administration’s “to-do” list for the next year and included measures such as a temporary reprieve for rail passengers by halting fare increases and a rent freeze until March next year.
Despite both the SNP and Greens arguing against Labour’s proposals for a rent freeze earlier in the year, the measure will now be brought in by emergency legislation, the First Minister announced on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon announces rent freeze for tenants – here's how it works
The Scottish Greens have said Labour’s proposals would have resulted in a wave of evictions and that the Government’s proposals have ironed out problems which they said would have resulted from Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba’s plans.
Asked about the policy by presenter Gary Robertson, Baillie said: “We’ve clearly been setting the agenda from opposition as our proposals have been adopted by both Governments…”
This came despite her echoing comments from Sarwar made earlier in the week that Scottish Labour did not “care about who claims credit for any changes that are implemented”.
Robertson interrupted her to say: “Well you just said it doesn’t matter who takes the credit but now you are taking the credit…”
Baillie replied: “Indeed, indeed. Well it’s useful to point out what the factual position is and the context is.”
Keith Brown, SNP Justice Secretary, slammed her response, calling the interview “awful”.
He tweeted: “Awful [Jackie Baillie] interview on [Good Morning Scotland.
“Says not interested in who gets credit for good ideas in Prog for Govt, then repeatedly, absurdly and pointlessly tries to claim credit for many of them.
READ MORE: Jacob Rees-Mogg is now in charge of fixing YOUR energy bills
“Labour need to support calls for vital new funds for Scotland’s public services.”
It comes after Sturgeon wrote to the new Prime Minister on Tuesday to demand extra funding for the Scottish Government or for its borrowing powers to be greatly extended.
She told Truss it was “difficult to overstate the gravity of the situation” facing the country.
The four leaders of the UK should assemble for an emergency meeting, Sturgeon added as she repeated calls for a windfall tax on oil and gas companies which closes the loopholes included in the former chancellor’s plans to place a levy on energy giants profiting from the crisis.
How has the housing crisis affected you?
Are you struggling to buy your first home? Are you paying extortionate rent? Has your landlord hiked it amid a cost of living crisis? Scotland is going through a housing crisis. House prices continue to spiral and experts struggle to see an end in sight. If you have been affected by the housing situation in Scotland, The National wants to hear your story. We want to explain Scotland's housing crisis through the eyes of those experiencing it first-hand.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel