The Scotsman

Scots leader to claim Lib Dems are ‘on the up’ at party conference

- By TOM PETERKIN

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie will attempt to drive home an optimistic message when he heads to Bournemout­h for his party’s UK conference this weekend.

Mr Rennie will claim the Lib Dems are “on the up” after the party made progress in Scotland at June’s general election.

The election saw the Lib Dems take four seats, an improvemen­t from the near wipe-out they suffered in 2015 when voters punished them for going into government with the Tories.

Ahead of conference, Mr Rennie said: “Scottish Liberal Democrats have seen significan­t gains over the last few years. We are growing again and we have momentum. We have some fantastic new elected representa­tives who are going to drive the party forward. We have a new leader in Vince whose experience as an important economic thinker is a real asset.

“The Conservati­ves are struggling in Westminste­r, Labour is leaderless in Scotland and the SNP are heading down the polling ladder. Liberal Democrats however can make a real difference to the future of our country. Our message in June was about investing in people in health and education. Going forward we will build a fresh, bright platform for changes with the aspiration of creating an open, liberal, environmen­tally friendly, economical­ly sustainabl­e and fair society.”

 ??  ?? Willie Rennie will be in Bournemout­h this weekend
Willie Rennie will be in Bournemout­h this weekend

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