THE First Minister has warned the public could become disenfranchised with the crisis surrounding postal votes.
During a campaign event in Glasgow's West End, John Swinney praised efforts by the City of Edinburgh Council and Fife Council to ensure people who had not received postal ballots were still able to vote.
However, he added that he was being "inundated" with concerns from voters and said he expected there to be an inquiry into the fiasco.
"There are steps that can be taken by local authorities to make facilities available so people can vote," he said
"I very much welcome what the City of Edinburgh Council did yesterday, other local authorities are considering that as well.
READ MORE: 'Let's all be Scots': Euros tournament director praises Tartan Army
“I’ve asked the election management board to address the fact that some local authorities have done that but others have not done so.
“I’m inundated in my inbox. I suspect there’ll be effects on all political parties.
“But I think the crucial point is the disenfranchisement of individuals.”
He said that the voter ID requirement brought in by the UK Government was “designed to put people off” and more effort should be made to encourage people to vote.
Swinney added: “What the UK Government’s decided to do, we will not be doing that in Scotland.
“We should be maximising the participation of people in elections, not making it more tricky.”
After donning some yellow sunglasses and posing with campaigners, Swinney took aim at Labour after Gordon Brown said the party would "turn the tide" on child poverty if elected.
This is despite the fact that Keir Starmer has repeatedly refused to scrap the two-child benefit cap, which prevents parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for more than two children,
“Keir Starmer will be the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom but there’s still one part of the country which still has a vibrant election campaign – that’s here in Scotland," said Swinney.
“We need to make sure we elect SNP MPs in Westminster.
READ MORE: Stephen Flynn: 'Indy support not good enough – but Labour will help'
"A Labour Prime Minister will be carrying on a Tory agenda of austerity and the two-child limit – we have got to have SNP MPs in Westminster.
“What we know is that when decisions are made in Scotland, for Scotland, they are the best decisions.”
Asked about the possibility that Dundee could be targeted by Reform, Swinney added: “I have never gone into polling thinking I can take the day off.
“Even when we’ve been miles ahead I’ve gone in saying ‘I’m not judging this.’”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel