Alistair Darling attacks Scottish government

In a sign that the Labour Party is now looking to firm up support in Scotland, Alistair Darling has today gone on the attack with a suggestion that the SNP- Lib Dem coalition has lost control of Edinburgh. This is the first time we have seen such a prominent UK MP openly attack the SNP and the policies which it has introduced since it took power.

Those who follow the Scottish political scene will be well aware that the SNP has highlighted and then drop a number of major policies, continues to push for independence and seems determined to battle with the UK government at every opportunity. Each and every funding issue is laid fairly and squarely at the door of the UK government which has not helped relations with those North of the border. Indeed support for the SNP has fallen away dramatically over the last few months with many Scottish voters unimpressed at the fact that Alex Salmond continues to push for independence while the Scottish economy has been highlighted as the weakest in the UK.

It seems highly likely that the Labour Party will continue to attack the SNP in the run-up to the election and with the Conservative party unlikely to direct resources in this direction, the Labour Party has a clear road to attack the SNP.