Cole-Hamilton: The time for liberal politics is now

Addressing campaigners during an action day for the Corstorphine/Murrayfield by-election, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton will say that “the time for liberal politics is now,” as he emphasised the need to end the clash of nationalisms holding Scotland back and highlighted his party’s recent successes in challenging the SNP and Conservatives.  

The party is campaigning to take the Edinburgh seat from the SNP, after gaining more seats than any other opposition party last May.

Speaking to campaigners, Alex Cole-Hamilton will say:  

“We have a golden opportunity to reimagine what our United Kingdom and Scotland can achieve.

“For too long, our politics has been defined by the regressive, narrow-minded, mirror-image nationalism of both the SNP and the Conservatives. It is a politics of deflection and blame. It takes people for granted. It promises superficial solutions to complex problems. It is long past time that we got shot of it.

“More than ever, we need liberal politics. By our nature, we are the party of reform. For a hundred years and more, in government and out of it, liberals have led our nation to progress on women’s reproductive rights, free personal care, establishing a powerful Scottish Parliament, investing in mental health and so much more.

“And today, we are building back those successes. Our big gains at the council elections and winning the safest of Conservative seats in record-breaking by-election wins have got the ball rolling.

“In this very by-election, we’re showing we can offer a strong and credible challenge to the SNP. In Edinburgh, Fife, Aberdeenshire, the Highlands, from the Borders to Shetland we are forging a new kind of social contract that will put people and communities first.  

“When it comes to breaking up the UK no price is too high and no amount of disruption too painful for the SNP. The islanders waiting for ferries, 1 in 7 Scots on NHS waiting lists and parents who believed education as the number one priority have already paid the price for the SNP’s fixation. People can’t wait for years behind yet more arguments about independence.

“Rejecting independence does not mean settling for the status quo. Liberal Democrats believe in home rule, federalism, a more empowered Scotland in a strengthened family of nations.

“The solution to Tory chaos isn’t to double it with independence, it’s to get the Conservatives out of government and bring new hope to the whole United Kingdom.

“We are nearing the end game of a clash of nationalisms; the time for liberal politics is now.”