Ex Tory Monteith: only SNP can offer change

Monteith: only SNP can offer change
ROBBIE DINWOODIE
June 09 2006

The Tory MSP forced out of his party last year for plotting to undermine the leadership of David McLetchie has now savaged the performance of Annabel Goldie, and said that only the SNP offers prospects of a change.

Brian Monteith, who now sits as an Independent Conservative for the Lothians, is scathing about Miss Goldie's performance and claims that Tories up and down the land have reacted with "amazement and anger" to what he terms the "vote blue, get red" decision to offer a stability pact with Labour after next May.

Such a deal would be short of a formal coalition but, in exchange for support on an issue-by-issue basis, Tories would agree not to back a no-confidence vote during a term of parliament.

In a signed newspaper column, Mr Monteith said: "[Miss Goldie] and her lieutenants have let it be known that if Labour suffers a humiliating reverse at next year's Scottish parliament elections, the Tories will ride to their rescue."

He added: "If a voter wants change, the only party that now offers it is the SNP."