Swinson to be next PM, says Willie Rennie

The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has said his party is campaigning to put Jo Swinson in Downing Street.

Speaking as his party launched its campaign for the December 12 poll, Willie Rennie said the priorities are to stop Brexit as well as Scottish independence.

Liberal Democrat leader Jo Swinson has repeatedly said she is running to become prime minister on December 12 – something Mr Rennie supports.

For Ms Swinson to become leader of the country, the Liberal Democrats would need to increase the number of seats they hold from 19 to 326.

Pointing to recent success at the ballot box for his party, Mr Rennie said: “It’s up to the people and we should never assume what the people are going to do.

“The people have done some extraordinary things in recent years, there have been some massive swings.

“We beat Labour and the Conservatives in the European elections in May, we’ve won by-elections across the country, we’ve had a million people on the streets campaigning to stay in the European Union.

“There is a huge upswing in people wanting to stop Brexit, and I would never rule that out.

“We’re not going to support Boris Johnson or Jeremy Corbyn because they’re not fit to run the country.

“Jo Swinson is a breath of fresh air, she’s got clarity, she’s got ambition, she’s got aspiration.

“I think she’s exactly the person the country needs.

“That’s what I’m aiming for in this campaign.

“There will be a mammoth campaign from the Liberal Democrats and we will be – very confidently – putting Jo Swinson forward to be the next prime minister.”

Mr Rennie would not be drawn on what role the Liberal Democrats could play if Labour or the Tories become the largest party, but fail to gain a majority in the Commons.

Picture: PA. Willie Rennie.