Scottish Labour MP encourages colleagues to speak out and 'hold UK Government to account'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Scottish Labour MP had encouraged his colleagues to "hold the UK Government to account."Brian Leishman said his fellow backbench Labour MPs have to "make sure that the values and the ideals and the principles of the Labour Party are enacted in Government." The Alloa and Grangemouth MP said this would only happen if they "speak with one unified voice".When asked if he would encourage his fellow Scottish Labour MPs to speak their mind more, Leishman said: "I would encourage all [Labour MPs].

I'm not going to differentiate between a Scottish Labour MP, a Welsh Labour one or an English one."I would say that the entire Parliamentary Labour Party, our primary role is to look after our constituents' interests.

But what we've also got to do is make sure that the values and the ideals and the principles of the Labour Party are enacted in Government."So I would make an appeal across the backbench MP cohort to speak with one unified voice and hold our government to account, so that we can deliver the values and principles." Leishman has been one of the most outspoken Labour MPs since being elected in July.

He has been critical of the Government's approach to the Grangemouth oil refinery, which is set to shut next year with hundreds of jobs being lost.He also told the Record last week that he would vote against the Government if there is a vote about compensation for the Waspi women.