SCOTTISH Labour have been called out by a Cabinet Secretary for not seeming “to know where they are” after a basic geography blunder.
Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan said things were “getting silly” after Scottish Labour shared a video of Anas Sarwar on the General Election campaign trail and wrote: “In East Kilbride and across Scotland – only Labour can make sure we get rid of the Tories and deliver the change Scotland needs.”
However, the spire in the background of the video seems to belong to a church in Strathaven – and local SNP candidate Grant Costello said that is where Scottish Labour had taken the video.
Costello wrote: “Scottish Labour confused yet again. They were in Strathaven yesterday, not EK [East Kilbride]. Just like they were in Stonehouse, not Larkhall.
“Scottish Labour don’t have a clue about our constituency, they just want an MP.
“I want to be the local champion for our towns and villages.”
Costello is running to be the MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven for the SNP, against Scottish Labour candidate Joani Reid.
Reid, the granddaughter of former trade unionist leader Jimmy Reid, was formerly a Labour councillor in Lewisham in London, but now lives in the constituency where she is standing.
Energy Secretary McAllan, the MSP for Clydesdale – which includes Strathaven but not East Kilbride, also called out Scottish Labour over the error.
She wrote: “This is getting silly now.
“Twice Labour show up to South [Lanarkshire], including parts of my Clydesdale constituency and don’t seem to know where they are.
“Strathaven is not East Kilbride. Just as Stonehouse isn’t Larkhall.
“Pretty embarrassing and shows real lack of local knowledge.”
This is getting silly now. Twice labour show up to South Lan, including parts of my Clydesdale constituency & don’t seem to know where they are. Strathaven is not East Kilbride. Just as Stonehouse isn’t Larkhall. Pretty embarrassing & shows real lack of local knowledge. https://t.co/03zhgpqu1s
— Màiri McAllan (@MairiMcAllan) June 18, 2024
In April, Scottish Labour leader Sarwar was forced to delete a social media post after saying he had been “in Larkhall this morning to kick off our NHS day of action”. However, the campaign event had actually taken place in Stonehouse.
At the time, SNP MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Christina McKelvie said: "They have no clue, people should not be fooled with parachuted in candidates who have no idea where they are.
"Although there are so many MSPs, councillors and staffers there, you would have thought someone would have told him where he was ..."
Scottish Labour have been asked for comment.
