Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy joined Fiona O’Donnell and local party activists in Prestonpans yesterday (Sunday 22nd March) to get her re-election campaign officially underway.

Mr Murphy and Ms O’Donnell spoke to an audience of local party members and supporters at a packed Prestonpans Labour Club. Their message was clear – East Lothian, like the rest of Scotland, cannot afford another five years of the Tories.

Speaking after the launch, Fiona O’Donnell MP said:

“It has been an enormous honour and privilege to represent the people of East Lothian as their Member of Parliament over the last five years.

“I have always done my utmost to give local people the representation they deserve, here in the county and at Westminster. I’ve been hard working and accessible to ensure I am a strong voice for the people I was elected to represent, speaking up on the issues that are important to them.

“I have never taken East Lothian for granted, and I never will.

“East Lothian needs the Labour Party more than ever to fight for working people, to create a fair society where each and every person is valued and prospers. Where there is no acceptable disadvantage and no-one is left behind.

“I will be talking to thousands of voters in the run up to 7 May. With the Tories planning even more savage cuts in the next two years, East Lothian can’t risk another Tory government.”

Jim Murphy MP, Scottish Labour leader, said:
 
“Fiona is a top class MP and a champion for the people of East Lothian in Parliament. As our campaign kicks off, one thing is clear: Scotland cannot afford another five years of a Tory austerity that does nothing to support working families in East Lothian and across Scotland.
 
“We need to send Fiona to Westminster to kick out Cameron in May, and replace these Tories with a Labour government which will scrap exploitative zero hour contracts, increase the minimum wage and extend the living wage as well as invest an extra £1 billion in Scotland’s NHS.
 
“We know the difference between a Labour Government and a Tory Government. But you don’t get a Labour Government by proxy. If you want a Labour Government you have to vote for Labour candidates like Fiona in May, because only Labour is big enough and strong enough to get the Tories out.”

East Lothian Labour Party Chair Pat O’Brien said:

“It was a real pleasure to welcome Jim Murphy to a packed Prestonpans Labour Club and have him speak at the launch of Fiona’s campaign. She has been a first rate MP for the county over the last five years and we know that she is a formidable campaigner who will use every waking minute of the next few weeks to argue Labour’s case in this election.

“So many successful election campaigns have been launched at the Labour Club over the years. We know we have a real fight on our hands this time, but we never take our supporters for granted and with such a strong candidate and dedicated team of local volunteers we are confident we will win on 7 May.”