Gordon Banks

Speaking following the vote in the Scottish Parliament in which the Alloa based regulator Waterwatch was abolished with the loss of local jobs, Gordon Banks MP for Ochil and South Perthshire said

“This is a disgrace.

The SNP in Holyrood have actively voted to cut jobs in Alloa and by their actions also increase the burden of the work this regulator carried out on the taxpayer.

Waterwatch was funded by the water industry and now its reduced role when transferred to the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman and Consumer Focus Scotland will be funded out of taxation. This is madness.

Waterwatch was a very successful operation, reducing complaints in the industry by 75% and now this success is being rewarded with closure.

Mr Banks added,

Following a Budget in Westminster focused on jobs and supporting people in employment, the Nationalists and Tories have joined together in Holyrood to show their true colours.

That our local MSP put his ministerial job before his constituent’s jobs is shameful.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have all tried to save these jobs only to be usurped by a shadowy alliance of the Nats and the Tories.

This is a fine example of how these parties would work together in Westminster if David Cameron was ever to become Prime Minister.

It’s a timely warning ahead of the General Election of how cosy the Nats and the Tories are in Scotland.

I am saddened that these jobs will be lost to Alloa and I have today offered to meet the current employees to do everything I can to support them.

This is a sad day for Alloa.”