Murphy promises full term if re-elected MP

Jim Murphy has pledged to serve the full five years as an MP if Labour wins the East Renfrewshire seat — adding that he would serve a full term at Holyrood too, if elected next year.

Speaking at the Newton Mearns Community Council hustings on Tuesday, the current East Ren MP confirmed that he would serve full terms in both parliaments if given the opportunity, and that he would not draw two salaries.

David Jesner, NMCC chair, said: “Our residents demanded an answer of Jim Murphy as to how long he would serve were he to be re-elected to Westminster, in view of his desire to be Scotland’s next first minister.

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“Jim’s answer was clear and unequivocal. He would serve the full five years as an MP. He was then asked what would happen were he to be elected to Holyrood next year and he said he would serve full terms in both parliaments.”

A spokesman for Jim Murphy confirmed that, if re-elected, “Mr Murphy will serve a full five year term” — but added that the politician “is fully focused on the election taking place next week, rather than the campaign to be first minister next year”.

He added: “At the moment, the opinion polls suggest the SNP would win in East Renfrewshire. Only Jim Murphy can stop the SNP from winning and halt their plans for a second independence referendum.”

Th hustings was attended by candidates from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, UKIP, Scottish Conservative and Scottish Labour. SNP candidate Kirsten Oswald did not attend.

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All were present at a previous debate on Friday, at Newton Mearns Baptist Church, where some 200 people filled the hall to put questions to the candidates vying for the East Ren seat at next week’s general election.

The event was sponsored by the Evangelical Alliance Scotland — national director Fred Drummond said: “The high level of engagement contrasts with a high degree of distrust in politicians and their promises. It’s time for politicians to rebuild trust with all voters.”