Salmond attacks 'Downing St downturn'

ALEX Salmond launched a coruscating attack on the "Downing Street downturn" yesterday, blaming Gordon Brown for taking Scotland to the "brink of recession".

The First Minister used his opening speech to the SNP conference in Perth to lambast the Labour government in London for the economic crisis gripping the country.

Arguing that the Scottish Government was already taking action to help Scots get through the downturn, Mr Salmond claimed much more could, and should, be done by the UK government to prevent the worst effects of recession.

The First Minister called for a further substantial cut in interest rates, the release of 1 billion in government funding for Scotland – which he claimed was being held in London – and a major reflationary package to lift the economy.

He also wants to see a reduction in VAT on fuel and increases in the winter fuel payments, measures the SNP claim it would implement if it had the power.

Mr Salmond said: "It is time for a major programme of reflation in the real UK economy to boost demand and confidence in the economy to give help to hard-pressed households and businesses. (The government] can start with a further and deep cut in interest rates, which is necessary now for the real economy.

"Gordon Brown and his age of irresponsibility have taken this country to the very brink of recession. It is (the] SNP which will force the measures Scotland needs to escape the Downing Street downturn."

Mr Salmond will make his main address to his party conference on Sunday, but he spoke yesterday to launch the conference and tackle, briefly, the economic crisis gripping the world.

The new Perth Royal Concert Hall, which can hold 1,200 people, was barely a third full for Mr Salmond's opening address, because many delegates do not arrive until today or tomorrow.

Some activists had been told to continue campaigning in the Glenrothes by-election, rather than come to conference yesterday, such is the SNP's determination to win the seat from Labour. All this made for a rather muted start to the conference.

Mr Salmond strode to the podium to applause, but no ovation, and neither did the delegates stand to cheer him after he finished.