Professional Press Release

SNP EXPECTATIONS IN OCHIL

Salmond says – "Yes We Can"

Alloa, 1 April: Kicking off the SNP campaign in Ochil, party leader Alex Salmond said that he had "great expectations" of the Nationalist campaign and its candidate – the former MP fcr Clackmannanshire, George Reid : "In Ochil, yes we can…"

"In stark contrast, his opponent Martin O’Neil has again lowered Scottish exectations by saying openly that victory would come through the votes of Middle England. And then by adding that it would take ten years for Labour’s programme to be ‘effective’".

Following Mr O’Neil’s remarks in his adoption speech in Alloa on 25 March, the local SNP already have leaflets on the streets headed "Ochil is not in Middle England" and "Ten Years is Too Long to Wait".

Mr Salmond continued: "Labour’s embrace of Middle England will cost Scots dearly. Mr O’Neil and his like have now accepted the Tories’ financial programme, with the mega rich getting richer and the poor poorer.

"There will be no new money for schools, health and pensioners in Ochil under New Labour. There will be further cuts in local government services. And local students will still be paying back their education for years under Labour loans."

In contrast, Mr Reid’s advocacy of Mainstream Scotland – the encouragement of the enterprise culture, and the protection of vulnerable people – was a programme of hope, on the broad European social democratic model.

Ochil SNP have an impressive campaign team, with over 20 branches and groups throughout the constituency. In Alloa, Call and Data Processing Centres – manned by volunteers – are operational from 10.00 to 20.00 daily. Over 30,000 local electors have already been canvassed individually, and returns show the SNP ahead of pledged votes.

"There are still significant numbers of won’t says and don’t knows", said Mr Reid. "But there is clear evidence that both Tories, sickened by the sleaze, and traditional Labour supporters, scunnered by their party’s lurch to the right, are coming our way."

In the February 1974 election, Mr Reid went from adoption to election as MP in six weeks, overturning a 10,000 Labour lead in the process. l ENDS / Schedule & Photocalls Overleaf

OCHIL SNP : VISIT OF ALEX SALMOND MP - TUESDAY 1 APRIL

09.30 Trailer meets Fenwick at Pine n’ Oak lay-by [1 mile on south side of Kincardine Bridge]

09.45 Salmond meets Reid at Pine n’ Oak lay-by [1 mile on the south side of the Kincardine Bridge]. Cars continue to Alloa – parking immediately to rear of SNP campaign offices in 15 Drysdale Street.

10.00 SNP Campaign HQ, 11 Drysdale Street, Alloa

Interior : Alex Salmond cuts yellow ribbon to inaugurate campaign. Very brief speech - "Keep your eye on Ochil". Photocall: supporters in Ochil t-shirts.
Alex Salmond interviews with Alloa Advertiser and Wee County News

Salmond and Reid in streets of Alloa (leafleting squad ahead) : Shillinghill-Mill Street-High Street-Drysdale Street

11.15 Depart for Sauchie (Post Office) – brief walkabout; Depart for Clackmannan (Cross) – walkabout in High Street. Depart for United Glass.

12.00 United Glass, Alloa - introduction to management (Brian Cairns), 30 min walk-through plant, 20mins in canteen]

13.15 Wallace Monument

Lunch in Sword Hotel (soup and sandwiches) [01786 473 338 • Fax 473 326]
[If necessary, press interviews squeezed in – side room available]
14.15 Photocall : Stirling Innovation Park (Opposite Sword Hotel - first left after entry, past Alpha and Beta buildings to end : trailer plus squad in Ochil t-shirts, Wallace Monument in background]

14.45 Bridge of Allan

Walkabout : Bri of Allan Books-Bri Café-Clive Ramsey-other shops as time allows

15.15 Hillfoots

15.15 Menstrie – Trailer in square: squad bangs doors. Street work

15.45 Alva – Trailer up and down main street. Walkabout in main street

16.30 Tillicoultry – Trailer in bus station. Walkabout in main street

17.15 Fallin

17.15 Doorsteps work in Stirling Road : squad identify people for Salmond/Reid to speak to

18.00 Gray’s pub, Fallin

18.30 Danskine Villa - meeting with new members [Tel 01786 813810 • Fax 01786 811447]

[If necessary, final press interviews to be fitted in here]

19.00 Salmond departs

NOTE: This schedule can change in the course of the day. The Alloa Rooms [01259 216 337] will always have details and will be linked to party by mobiles.