WORKING FOR YOU A change in government is needed more than ever

I know that many of my constituents across Coatbridge and Chryston will have been watching the unfolding political chaos in the Conservative Party over the future of Theresa May’s leadership.

It’s a dereliction of duty on the part of the government that they are focusing their energy on fighting one another rather than for the interests of working people.

All this political turmoil stems from the proposed Withdrawal Agreement that the Prime Minister secured in Brexit negotiations with the European Union (EU).

The agreement is unacceptable to both the Labour Party and myself, which is why I will be voting against it when it comes before the House of Commons.

Labour has been consistent in our pledge to vote against any agreement which failed to meet the criteria outlined in our six tests.

These tests are designed to ensure that any agreement enables continued co-operation with the EU on issues such as security, for businesses to continue to have access to the European Single Market, for a permanent customs union with the EU, to defend employment rights and for a fair settlement for all nations and regions of the UK.

The Prime Minister’s Withdrawal Agreement categorically fails to meet these six tests.

There is talk of an early General Election because of the instability rocking the government; an election I would relish as it gives my constituency an opportunity to help elect a Labour government which will invest in, and improve, our communities through policies such as a £10 per hour living wage.

A change in government is needed now more than ever following the damning report published by the UN which condemned the government for their failure to address the abject poverty that blights Scotland and Britain.

Our society is becoming increasingly divided and Coatbridge is sadly no exception with the appalling incident of proIRA graffiti being painted onto the town’s cenotaph.

There is absolutely no place for sectarianism in our community and I will be liaising with police to discuss how we can catch those responsible for these criminal acts.

I urge the community of Coatbridge to stand united in its condemnation of sectarianism, and in its resolve to not allow those who would seek to divide us to succeed.

There is talk of an early General Election because of the instability rocking the government; an election I would relish

Brexit bother The Withdrawal Agreement Theresa May – pictured with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker – secured in Brexit negotiations with the EU has been branded “unacceptable” by Mr Gaffney