HUMZA Yousaf has hit back at a Scottish Labour MP who accused the SNP of delivering “nothing” for Scotland.
Earlier this month Ian Murray MP wrote to the First Minister asking him to clarify the SNP’s position on abstentionism at Westminster.
It came after SNP depute leader Keith Brown suggested in an article for The National that the party should consider withdrawing their MPs from Westminster following the chaos of the Gaza ceasefire vote.
“When the institution can be so easily manipulated to thwart Scotland’s representatives,” wrote Brown. “The issue needs, in my view, to be re-examined”.
While asking for clarification on the SNP’s position, Murray's letter also claimed that the SNP “have been disengaged with Westminster for years”.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf confirms he will ask Keir Starmer to allow indyref2
“After almost nine years since most of their elections to Parliament, they have delivered nothing for communities across Scotland,” he said.
In a response to Murray’s letter, Yousaf took the opportunity to list the SNP’s achievements at Westminster and rebuke Labour for their failure to recognise the collective punishment of Palestinian people in Gaza by Israel.
He wrote: “Dear Ian, Many thanks for your letter of March 4.
“As I know you are aware, SNP MPs have played a key role at Westminster, standing up for their constituents and ensuring UK Government action on issues such as neonatal care, employment rights, paid bereavement leave for those who have suffered a miscarriage, rejoining the Horizon research scheme, granting asylum seekers the right to work, and vital action on the cost of living.
“Since the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7, the SNP have been the leading voice at Westminster on an immediate ceasefire and ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those suffering in Gaza.
“However, it remains disappointing that Labour continue to refuse to support the SNP’s calls to recognise the collective punishment of the Palestinian people – a term which has been used by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, since January.
“In comparison, the Labour Party have, of course, U-turned on commitments on £28bn green investment, the two-child benefit cap, Brexit, scrapping the House of Lords, free tuition fees, freedom of movement, Universal Credit, the cap on bankers’ bonuses, rent controls, and devolving employment and drug laws.
“At the General Election, a vote for the SNP is a vote for SNP MPs who stand up for Scotland’s values, for Scotland’s priorities, and for our right to choose a better future with independence.”
It comes after the First Minister confirmed that, if Keir Starmer forms the next UK Government, he would ask his permission to hold a second independence referendum.
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