LibDems look to rebuild base
THE General Election is all about the constitution, according to a senior LibDem looking to win back the seat she lost in 2015.
In 2005, Jo Swinson was the youngest MP, when she was elected for the LibDems in East Dunbartonshire.
After rising through the ranks to become a junior minister, she lost the seat to John Nicolson of the SNP.
She is now looking to overturn the 2000 majority and said she is appealing to those who voted no to independence but yes to the EU.
Visiting a Glasgow tech business, Swippi, in the city centre, Ms Swinson, said: “People don’t want to return to another divisive referendum. The last thing we need is uncertainty and division.
“Independence is not the right path and the Liberal Democrats are the only party also promoting staying in the single market.”
Having no elected representatives left in Glasgow after the council elections, the LibDems are looking to rebuild and are targeting seats in the west of Scotland including East Dunbartonshire.
She added: “I’m really worried about the direction of our country. I fear for what will happen with Brexit.
“I’m not going to let that happen. I want to keep Scotland in the UK and in the single market
“This election is not just about policy. The driving force is the halting of independence.”
On her own prospects of re-election she said: “If people think I was a good MP for 10 years, then I’d be very happy if they voted for me again.”
Her opponent, Mr Nicolson, said the LibDems cannot be trusted after the five years in coalition with the Conservatives from 2010 to 2015.
He said: “The Liberal Democrats cannot be trusted to stand up to the Tories – and as we know their manifesto pledges are not worth the paper they’re written on.
“Scotland has not forgotten the Lib Dem record of betrayal propping up the Tories in government.”