Lib Dems break ranks in key vote

TWO Liberal Democrat MSPs backed the Budget after securing an extra £10million for ferry services in the Northern Isles.

Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur broke ranks to vote with the Nationalists and Greens in Holyrood following the announcement that additional funds would be handed to Orkney and Shetland councils for the services.

The MSPs, who represent island constituencies, had been lobbying the Scottish Government for extra money – and had pledged

to support the Budget if this cash was delivered.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay announced in his speech that Orkney and Shetland councils would share an additional £10.5million next year to fund Northern Isles ferry services.

Following last night’s vote, which allowed Mr Mackay’s Budget to progress, Mr Scott and Mr McArthur said the votes did not reflect on the wider Budget proposal.

In a statement they added: ‘Our votes are not a comment on the rest of the Budget. We had a single task in our negotiations, which we have achieved.’

The three other Liberal Democrat MSPs – Willie Rennie, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Mike Rumbles – voted against the Budget along with Labour and the Conservative MSPs.

Scots Lib Dem leader Mr Rennie said he could not back the proposals as they did not provide the ‘transformational change’ that Scotland needs.