Glasgow SNP candidates have joined together to launch a petition calling for the high speed rail network to include Glasgow.

Despite Labour promises to build high speed rail as far as Scotland, current plans only take it to Birmingham.

Commenting, SNP candidate for Glasgow North, Patrick Grady, said:

“High speed rail to Scotland would revolutionise travel in the UK by
offering the best solution to transport problems not only in Scotland but
in the UK as a whole.

“The ability to travel between Scotland and London in as little as three
hours is vital and wholly necessary.  Scottish businesses are
being put at a disadvantage by the London parties’ refusal to extend the
link.

“Only the SNP will champion Scotland’s right to a direct, speedy rail link
to bring significant economic advantages for communities and companies
across the country, because with a high speed rail link comes significant
business links.”

“High speed rail is the London parties’ high speed fail.  Fast rail has
become the norm across Europe but here in Scotland we are still stuck on
the slow track with little prospect of the situation improving.

“While the London parties wax lyrical about reducing emissions they refuse
to put in place a fast rail link to Scotland which would dramatically cut
the number of short haul flights.

“While it should only take three hours to go from London to Scotland, with
Labour, Tory and Lib Dem it’s going to take 30 years.”

SNP Candidate for Glasgow North, Patrick Grady, joined SNP Councillors George Roberts and Jahangir Hanif at the Mosque on Carrington Street to speak to worshippers after Friday prayers, and discuss issues of importance to the local community.

Glasgow North SNP's campaign HQ is officially open for business.  Our youngest local activists Eilidh (6) and Aedan (3) Baddon launched the rooms with just some of the campaign team after another eventful and successful day on the campaign trail.

Every SNP candidate will sign a Community Charter – a pledge of accessibility, accountability and openness – that is their commitment to Scotland’s voters.

The Commitment, launched today by SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon and SNP candidates from across the country, including SNP Candidate for Glasgow North, Patrick Grady, forms part of the SNP’s manifesto and sets out the standards SNP members will follow if elected as Scotland’s local and national champions.

Click here to read Patrick's pledgeto voters in Glasgow North

At the heart of the Commitment is a promise to protect public services and to put the interests of constituents first.

Joining SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon to sign the Commitment Glasgow North candidate John MasonPatrick said:

“Voters, rightly, expect more from their politicians.  The public has the right to expect high standards of honesty, openness and transparency which is exactly what they’ll get with strong local and national champions from the SNP.

“Metropolitan politicians have repeatedly failed Scotland and failed their constituents.  From offices in their front rooms instead of on the high streets, to living in London and commuting to the constituency when it should be the other in.

“The public deserve politicians who will work for them, not work for themselves and who will protect public services, not their own interests.

Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon added:

"This is about MPs doing their job properly.  Too often in the past many MPs have failed to live up to their constituents expectations.

“Where the Westminster machine has let Scotland down, SNP MPs have fought for Scotland’s people.  Where others have lived it up at the taxpayers’ expense SNP MPs will work for the taxpayer.

“SNP MPs will always open local offices, hold regular surgeries and be accessible to their constituents.  That is at the heart of our commitment to Scotland’s communities.

“At this election instead of electing a typical Westminster politician communities across Scotland can elect champions who will put the people first, who will be on their side and who will champion their interests."