LABOUR TO SCRAP THE RAPE CLAUSE
putting themselves forward at electione, because they want to serve the local communities in which they live, now being referred to as some sort of invading force.”
The Record’s front page after the council election reported on a Tory win in the former industrial heartland of Ravenscraig with the headline “They’re Back”.
And our website said: “Tories invade Scotland after sweeping local elections.” It is common journalistic practice for parties to be described as “invading” an area when they win more seats there.
Opponents were stunned Davidson would complain about it while her party plunge children into poverty, target the disabled and force rape victims to fill out forms to get benefits. Scottish Labour general election campaign manager James Kelly said Davidson was “an embarrassment”.
He added: “This is the leader who turned political debate into a shouting match about flags rather than issues people care about.
“At every turn, Ruth Davidson has put the narrow British nationalism of the Tories ahead of what’s best for the people of this country. There is an alternative to the extreme nationalism of the Tories and the independence obsession of the SNP.
“It’s a Labour government fighting for better wages, jobs and public services, not fighting for a catastrophic hard Brexit or a second independence referendum Scotland doesn’t want.”
SNP candidate Deidre Brock added: “This is a lesson in doublethink from Ruth Davidson, whose own political message could not be more ‘tribal’.
“It is Orwellian to lecture others on nationalism when she’s the one who drapes herself in a flag and drives around in a tank.
“Her claim to the moral high ground is totally undermined.” JEREMY Corbyn will ditch the Tories’ despicable rape clause if he becomes PM next month, the Daily Record can reveal.
Labour’s general election manifesto, unveiled today, will brand the two-child cap on tax credits “an attack on low-income families”.
And the party will promise to “reform and redesign” the universal credit system to ensure children are no longer plunged into poverty.
The pledges will come in what is widely believed to be Labour’s most leftwing manifesto.
The Conservative Government have limited tax credits to the first two children in a family – with an exception for women who have a child as a result of rape.
To claim, victims must fill in a form and have it validated by a health professional – a process condemned by experts.
Corbyn said: “Labour will end the abhorrent rape clause across the UK.
“Kezia Dugdale’s powerful Scottish Parliament speech demonstrated the heartbreaking reality of the rape clause.
“Theresa May and Ruth Davidson should be ashamed.
“Only a Labour government that works for the many, not the few, can bring this policy to an end.”
There has been a cross-party campaign against the rape clause in Scotland. But Scottish Tory leader Davidson has repeatedly defended the policy.
Labour’s UK manifesto will state: “Labour will reform and redesign universal credit, ending six-week delays in payment and the ‘rape clause.’”
The manifesto’s major Scottish pledge will be opposition to a second independence referendum.
It will say: “It is unwanted and unnecessary and we will campaign tirelessly to ensure Scotland remains part of the UK.
“Independence would lead to turbocharged austerity for Scottish families.”
Corbyn added: “Scotland doesn’t need or want a second independence referendum.”
And he said the vote would be wrong for the Scots economy “when there is so much uncertainty from the Tories’ plans for a reckless Brexit”.
Dugdale will join Corbyn at the manifesto launch in west Yorkshire today.
She said: “By voting Labour, Scots can tell Nicola Sturgeon that we don’t want another divisive independence referendum. Voters can reject a second referendum and deeper Tory cuts with one vote for Labour.”
Corbyn yesterday laid out Labour’s “New Deal” for the NHS.
He pledged an extra £37billion for the NHS in England. Under the Barnett formula, it would mean a huge funding boost for Scotland which could be used for health.