Tories criticise SNP’s ‘childish’ behaviour

North Lanarkshire Conservatives have waded in to Labour and the SNP’s row over upcoming council cuts.

In recent weeks, both parties have exchanged in separate attacks against each other over the proposed £100 million of cuts which are due to hit the council kitty in the next three years.

Last month, the SNP leader in North Lanarkshire,Tom Johnston, said his party would not work with Labour and the Tories on the council’s Sounding Board again this year.

In response, Labour’s Jim Logue accused the Nationalists of“ducking their responsibilities”.

This week, Tory Group leader Meghan Gallacher, pictured, had her say on the issue.

She said:“I am not even remotely surprised that North Lanarkshire SNP will not take part in the budget Sounding Board.

“Their own Scottish Government has decimated local communities across North Lanarkshire and tough decisions will need to be made.

“The SNP has continually refused to work alongside any other political group as this suits their own political agenda.

“They don’t understand that the Sounding Board is for information sharing purposes only and by acting childish, they are doubling the workload of council officers.

“North Lanarkshire SNP try to use the excuse of Westminster and decisions taken by the UK Government but no-one is fooled.

“This has nothing to do with the Conservatives and all to do with them running scared of having to face the reality of SNP cuts.

“The Scottish Government needs to take a leaf out of the UK Government’s book and start investing in Scotland’s interests.”

Councillor Johnston had previously stated: “Universal Credit is hitting families hard. Pensioners face no old age pension until they are 75 in future. Lanarkshire Labour are silent on these issues.

“For these reasons,the SNP Group will not be participating in any Labour-Tory Budget Sounding Board. Just as last year,the SNP budget team will meet officials and produce an SNP Group alternative budget for the people of North Lanarkshire.”