Lib Dems gathering momentum, says leader

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie has said the momentum is with his party as activists gather ahead of their autumn conference.

With the Lib Dems in Scotland having gained three seats from the SNP in June’s snap election, Mr Rennie said there had been “significant gains”. He also hailed new UK leader Vince Cable as being an “important economic thinker” and a “real asset” to the Lib Dems.

The conference, which starts tomorrow, is Mr Cable’s first since taking over the job from Tim Farron.

Mr Cable said the Lib Dems were now “significantly more influential than before the general election”.