Guernsey Press

Scottish Lib Dems will make ‘big leap forward’ at election, says Cole-Hamilton

Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton made his prediction as the party set out its manifesto.

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Scottish Liberal Democrats are aiming to “leap forward” at the General Elections as the party’s leader set out the party’s manifesto.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said his party would “make the difference” and be the real opposition to a potential Labour government.

The manifesto includes plans to introduce a carer’s minimum wage with a £2 an hour boost.

General Election campaign 2024
Alex Cole-Hamilton and Wendy Chamberlain pick strawberries during a visit to Craigie’s Farm in South Queensferry to launch the party’s General Election manifesto (Jane Barlow/PA)

An additional £1 billion in capital funding would come to Scotland through Barnett consequentials which can be used to tackle the housing emergency and local health facilities, Mr Cole-Hamilton said.

Speaking at Craigie Farm, he said: “There’s going to be strong liberal voices returned in significant numbers – and they are going to be – we’re going to have a big leap forward at this election and are going to make that difference.

“This election has shown there is an intrinsic link between what happens in Westminster and what happens in Scotland and a lot of the policies that we’re generating cash from, whether that’s by trebling the digital services tax on social media giants who create so much harm experienced by our young people right now. We want to see that earmarked for mental health services in Scotland.”

She said: “Where is the opposition, the holding to account going to come from? It’s going to come from the Liberal Democrats on issues such as the two-child limit which Labour has said they are not willing to remove.

“It is fully costed in our manifesto and this will be the opportunity for us to make those kind of arguments.

“I can assure you we will be taking those opportunities when they come.”

But she also said it would be “straightforward” for the Lib Dems to “outflank” Labour in social and liberal policies.

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