Lib Dems promise a ‘brighter’ Scotland
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have outlined their 12-month plan to lay the foundations for a “brighter future for Scotland”.
Launching the party’s election 2007 manifesto in Edinburgh today, Scottish leader Nicol Stephen set out a “bold and ambitious” agenda for Scotland.
The Liberal Democrats in Scotland will be pro-education, pro-environment and pro-economy and above all promise a “bright future,” said Mr Stephen, who was joined at the launch event by former UK party leader Charles Kennedy.
If elected to Holyrood, the Lib Dems would deliver smaller class sizes, enabled by 1,000 extra teachers. School children would also take part in daily PE lessons and all two-year-olds would receive free nursery places. Head teachers would be empowered to turn around failing schools and deal with disruptive pupils, among other measures.
Mr Stephen set out bold plans for a “renewable revolution”, setting targets for all of Scotland’s energy to come from renewable sources. In doing so a Lib Dem-led parliament would create thousands of jobs, he added. Mr Stephen also announced targets to increase recycling by 70 per cent by 2020.
The Scottish Lib Dems also moved to establish their business credentials. If elected, the party would cut red tape and champion independent shops, moving in on traditionally Tory territory. The party also appealed to poorer voters, promising a “fairer” local income tax based on the ability to pay.
Politics is “about getting things done,” said the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader. “Our manifesto is a vision for a bright future for Scotland.”
The SNP dismissed the Lib Dem’s manifesto launch as “woobly” and accused them of “painting themselves into Labour’s corner.”
“And after eight years in the Lib/Lab coalition, it’s just incredible for Nicol Stephen to attack a record that he is jointly responsible for,” remarked the SNP’s Angus Robertson.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives also attempted to capitalise on Labour’s declining popularity among Scots by claiming a vote for the Lib Dems would be a vote for Scottish Labour.
