Lib Dems make plea to voters angry over SNP’s Indyref2 push

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has said voters are switching to his party from the SNP in target seats as he accused the nationalists of hitting a “low” in personal campaigning.

Willie Rennie launched his party’s election manifesto in Edinburgh and pledged to stop a second independence referendum, saying voters are “spitting mad” about the SNP’s continuing push for another ballot on the issue.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled her party’s manifesto on Tuesday, claiming an SNP victory in Scotland in the general election on June 8 would “further reinforce” her party’s mandate for another referendum.

Mr Rennie said in “so many seats” across the country voters face a “straight choice between the Liberal Democrats and the SNP”, and he predicted tactical voting could give his party a boost in close seats such as East Dunbartonshire, Edinburgh West and Caithness.

He said: “The Liberal Democrats have got a big role to play in this election. For a lot of people there’s a purpose, beyond others, at this particular time to stop a second divisive independence referendum. I’ve been astonished at the rage that there is out there, including from some people who did vote for the SNP last time, and they want to stop it now.

“They are just spitting mad at the SNP at how they have banged on about independence all the time and I think it’s got to stop, and they are going to use this election to do so.