Leader back closure plans
The leader of South Lanarkshire Council defended the authority’s plans.
Councillor John Ross also welcomed the support of Conservative Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson who highlighted “that the direction of travel started some years ago, under Labour”at the debate.
Mr Simpson said:“i think that South Lanarkshire Council is on the right track here and, as I said earlier, it is a well-trodden path that started under Labour.”
Councillor Ross said: “Despite the nature of Monica Lennon’s motion, I welcomed the opportunity for Parliament to debate the council’s huge investment in local care facilities.
“The most revealing contribution came from Graham Simpson, the Tory MSP and former South Lanarkshire councillor.
“He highlighted the fact it was Monica Lennon’s party – in coalition with the Tories – that set the ball rolling on this proposal and that if she agreed with it in principle, she should back it in practice.
“It was however disappointing to see local Labour MSPS try and turn this into a slant on the SNP and play politics with people’s lives.
“It is not unlike Monica Lennon to put political points scoring before everything else, but this attack back-fired. Instead of the spin, Parliament heard of a service that is being modernised and improved with elderly people’s best interests at the heart of our plans.”