A small cafe in South Queensferry was completely overwhelmed by the Scottish press along with photographers and broadcasters this morning for the launch of the 2015 Scottish Liberal Democrats’ manifesto.
There was kissing of babies, chatting to customers and pretending to make coffee all for the sake of the cameras and the media. But this was a press call with a serious purpose, as the Liberal Democrats have had a taste of power and clearly believe that they will be in a position of some sway in the next government, whether that is a two or three party coalition.
It is clear that the Liberal Democrats believe that to make any real changes to the way the UK is governed proportional representation will have to be introduced, but meantime they had much to say about the other parties running for election this time round.
The SNP were denounced for apparently confirming that there will be a second referendum in the next five year term of the Scottish Government, and in any case they are against the union.
The Conservatives were denounced as they will adopt the wrong financial policy which will jeopardise public services.
There was little or no mention of Labour by name, but any financial policy which borrows too much, and which derails the economic progress the Liberal Democrats feel the UK has made, was also derided.
The only way forward then is to ensure that enough Liberal Democrats are returned to parliament to ensure that the next decade is one of opportunity. There were 11 LibDem MPs in the last parliament and this morning the press conference was held in Edinburgh West where Mike Crockart has represented the constituency at Westminster.
Willie Rennie MSP, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats announced the main points in the document which he called ‘a route map for the journey ahead’ accompanied by Jo Swinson and Mike Crockart who were both MPs in the last parliament.
The document has all of the content on the front cover: that is to say that all the headers are there to lead you in to the small 117 page book which then sets out their stall in greater detail.
If the Liberal Democrats have any say in what happens at Westminster after the election next month they will concentrate on their slogan “Stronger Economy. Fairer Society. Opportunity for everyone.
Jo Swinson said: “The choice for the people of Scotland is who do you want to influence the next government.
“No party will win an overall majority at Westminster
“Some people want to balance the books to secure the economy.
“Some people want to invest in health and education.
“Some people want the Scottish Parliament to have more powers. With The Liberal Democrats you will get all three of these and we are the only party to offer that.”
The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Willie Rennie MSP said: ” Our plan is for a stronger economy a fairer society so that there is opportunity for everyone.
“We want to create a decade of opportunity. We believe in it, we are sticking to it, and in government we are delivering on it. Over the course of this campaign we have seen our opponents producing irresponsible plans for increased debt, vast spending commitments on the hoof and cynical tactics that put the very future of our country at risk.
“The Scottish LibDems are sticking to our guns and passing the Kipling Test: to keep your head when all about you are losing theirs.
“Over the past five years Liberal Democrats in government have steered a careful course. Our country faced extraordinary threats: an economy on the brink of collapse, public services whose funding was at risk, and a referendum on the break up of our UK family.
“The Liberal Democrats in Government have got us through. The fastest growth in the G7, funding protected for our schools and hospitals, a decisive decision by people in Scotland to stick together, without Liberal Democrats this would not have been possible.
“We have come so far and made so much progress now is no the time to throw away what we have achieved.
“Now is the time for that steady Liberal hand to steer forward once again.to take the careful responsible liberal way ahead.
“The Scottish Manifesto is a route map for that journey.”
We will embed the manifesto here when we can find an electronic copy of it, but you may also find it on the Scottish Liberal Democrat website here.
The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
