By Steve Bargeton, political editor

SAVE THE Scottish Regiments campaigners yesterday unveiled plans to mobilise an army of volunteers to give Labour a “bloody nose” at the General Election.

At a Press launch in Edinburgh, they announced a candidate to stand against Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram in East Kilbride and hinted that they would also field a candidate against Chancellor Gordon Brown in Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.

They also unveiled details of alliances with other major political parties aimed at unseating Labour candidates across the country.

When the Government decided last December to press ahead with controversial plans to axe the six Scottish infantry regiments and create a new five-battalion Scottish regiment, the campaign served notice that it would attack Labour at the election, expected in May.

Although the stated aim of the campaign is to reverse that decision, campaign manager and Dundee business man Jeff Duncan made it clear yesterday that the strategy is to inflict “as much pain as possible” on Labour north of the border.

“We are going to back any candidate of any party who can give Labour a bloody nose,” said Mr Duncan who challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair to “look into the whites of our eyes and see that we mean business.”

Instead of going for a full frontal assault on Labour by fielding a host of candidates who would be unlikely to make much impact, they have opted for guerrilla tactics.

The plan is to concentrate their forces in a number of key constituencies where they believe their support of other candidates can make a difference. Nine constituencies were unveiled yesterday with the promise of more to come.

Top of the list is Dundee East, where Labour have a majority of under 1000. By supporting the SNP to take the seat, which is also a top SNP target, the campaigners believe they can topple Labour.

“Given that this is in the heart of Black Watch country, we have no doubt that this is going to be a lost seat for Labour,” said Mr Duncan.

Dundee West is also being targeted, despite the fact that Dundee West MSP Kate Maclean was the only Labour member at Holyrood to vote for the retention of the Scottish regiments.

The campaigners’ anger here is directed at outgoing MP Ernie Ross who “has refused to back The Black Watch,” said Mr Duncan.

He added, “I will work very hard to make sure Labour loses this seat.”

In the new constituency of Ochil and South Perthshire, the campaign is backing the SNP’s Annabelle Ewing who would need a predicted swing of less than 1% to take the seat.

In Stirling campaigners are supporting the Tories. In Aberdeen South they are endorsing the Liberal Democrats.

There will be pro-regiment reinforcements on the ground working for Tory candidates in Edinburgh South West and East Renfrewshire, while the SNP will be backed in a bid to produce a 2.7% swing in the Western Isles.

The campaigners say they can mobilise 350 volunteers at present and are confident others will join them in the run-up to the election.

They plan two further Press conferences when details of more “endorsements” will be revealed, and will attend a mass rally in London on April 9.

Last night SNP leader Alex Salmond said, “Labour’s arrogance has been their undoing. In trying to get rid of Scotland’s historic regiments, Labour MPs will end up being scrapped themselves.

“Today’s endorsements of SNP candidates by the Save the Regiments campaign is a big boost for our campaign. We will win, not just these four, but also more to come.”

Scottish Tory MP Peter Duncan said, “The Save the Scottish Regiments campaign has done a superb job in fighting against Labour’s cuts to our infantry.

“Their actions have reflected the pride that most people in this country have in our troops, and have shown a steely determination to make Labour pay for their betrayal. People in those constituencies feel badly let down.”

Last night a spokesman for the Labour Party said, “These people will not make life better for a single person in Scotland. Listening to their advice will only help Michael Howard and his Thatcherite Tories to take another step towards Downing Street.”