10 Most Recent Stories From Our News

Thu 11th Mar 2010:

[Mcarthur: Governemnt must explain about Hunterston]

The Scottish government set out their plan today to lead the world in using new technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Commenting Liberal Democrat MSP for Orkney, Liam McArthur said: “Carbon Capture and storage offers a great opportunity for Scotland to reduce our carbon emissions. “Longannet is well placed to win the competition to pilot this technology on a large scale, opening up huge opportunities for exporting the technology and expertise globally and reaping the benefits involved. “However this is not a get out of jail free card for the government. “We have serious concerns over the proposals for the unabated element of the proposed coal-fired power station at Hunterston, especially given the ambitious targets adopted by the Scottish Parliament with the passing of the climate change act last year. “The Scottish Government must explain its approach to Hunterston and recognise that business as usual is not enough.

[Brown reveals police assault figures]

Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Robert Brown MSP has revealed that there was a 10% increase in the number of police officers assaulted between 2007/08 and 2008/09 in Scotland. Figures released in an answer to a Parliamentary Question also revealed that as many as 6 police officers a day are assaulted on the streets of Glasgow. Commenting, Mr Brown said: “These assault figures are wholly intolerable. There are no circumstances where it is acceptable to assault a public officer. “Police officers in Scotland do a fantastic job of protecting the public from crime and assaults against them while on duty are unacceptable. “The public will support the courts in taking strong action against people who assault police officers. “However, police assault is part of the wider issue of crimes of violence which are often fuelled by alcohol and by binge drinking. There must be stronger enforcement of alcohol laws on the streets of Scotland, particularly on selling alcohol to people who already drunk and minors under 18. “We must tackle the root causes of crime if we are ever to stop assaults like these happening.

Wed 10th Mar 2010:

[Smith: Raising attainment must be motivation for change]

Commenting on Conservative calls for 'radical change' in Scotland's education system, Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Margaret Smith said: "Education is about ceaselessly learning from the world's best examples and this goes for improving schooling as well. "Through our own Education Working group and through my work on the Parliamentary Education Committee, we will continue to look at other ways of structuring education around the world. "We are willing to look at changes so long as the motivation is raising attainment and opportunity in schools, rather than dogma. "Scotland's future is not worth change for change's sake. "A whole new curriculum and new qualifications are imminent at a time when our schools are suffering from budget cuts and falling teacher numbers . "During this perfect educational storm, I doubt that massive structural change will be seen as a priority by teachers and headteachers

[SNP must respond to depressing teeth figures - Finnie]

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has revealed that almost a quarter of men and over a third of women over 55 are estimated to have no natural teeth. Figures released in an answer to a Parliamentary Question also showed that around 3% of 35-54 year olds have no natural teeth. The previous Executive set a target in 2005 for 90% of adults to possess some natural teeth by 2010. Commenting, Mr Finnie said: "This is a depressing indictment of Scotland's dental health. "Almost a quarter of men over 55 and over a third of women over 55 don't have any of their own teeth. "Unless the Scottish Government takes drastic action, they won't meet the target set by the previous Government. "Improving Scotland's diet is essential. Our sweet tooth is not only taking its toll on our waistlines, it's hitting our teeth too. Regular dental checks are also very important. We know that in some parts of the country, people still simply can't get an NHS dentist. "The Scottish Government needs to sort this out."

[Purvis: Veterans must be given same care as in England]

The Scottish government has announced that it will give £80,000 to fund veteran’s projects, including supported accommodation and outdoor pursuits to help veterans regain physical and mental strength. Commenting Convenor of the Cross-Party Group on Supporting Veterans in Scotland, Liberal Democrat Jeremy Purvis MSP said: We welcome this cash injection from the Scottish government to support veterans whose bravery should never be forgotten. “However the challenge was set when the UK Government announced the extension of priority medical care to veterans in England and Wales, no comparable extensions has been announced in Scotland. “This is the challenge that the Scottish Government should be considering to make sure there is not a gap in support north or south of the border.

[Brown: Reoffending figures appallingly high]

Scottish Government statistics released today show that the numbers of convicted criminals that go on to re-offend are shockingly high. 36% of individuals sentenced to custody (for their most recent conviction) in 2008-09, for a crime or relevant offence, had more than 10 previous convictions between 1999-00 and 2008-09. Commenting Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesman Robert Brown MSP said: “These figures show that rates of reoffending are appallingly high. “Offenders frequently come out of prison as more hardened offenders than when they went in - and all at huge cost to the public purse. “The fact that bail-related offences have risen to 16% per cent is also alarming. When Sheriffs make decisions on whether to grant bail, they need to take into account the relative risk of the accused committing further offences. “Sentences of all kinds imposed on offenders must be more focused and more effective. The big gain can be made with community sentences where reoffending is much less – but they must be properly supported and targeted. “ We want to see the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill replace sentences of 3 months or less, which are expensive and don’t work, with tough community payback orders, where offenders work to pay back the communities they have damaged.”

[Brown: Never any justification for domestic abuse]

More than 2,000 people were arrested during a two-month crackdown on domestic violence, Scotland's biggest police force said today. During an eight-week campaign, Strathclyde Police officers attended 3,961 incidents of domestic abuse, though that was a 24% drop in the number of such incidents reported to police in the same two-month period a year ago. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesman Robert Brown said: “It is deplorable that domestic abuse is still so frequently tolerated in Scotland. “The damage done to individuals, families and often children who are innocent bystanders or victims to these events, is enormous. “I welcome the police targeted crackdown on domestic violence. Indeed, we want to see a true zero tolerance approach to this problem. “Officers at Strathclyde police have done some great work done during their recent two month crackdown in an effort to tackle this challenge. “The fact that there was a drop in the number of such incidents from this time last year shows that progress is being made - but it must not be forgotten that much still has to be done. “There is never any justification or excuse for domestic violence.”

Tue 9th Mar 2010:

[Support crossing plans – Bruce]

Gordon Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce has urged support for Aberdeen City Council’s plans for a third road crossing of the River Don. The MP has written to Aberdeen City Council to express his support for the application. Commenting, Mr Bruce said: “Having represented people in Bridge of Don and the eastern part of Gordon to the north of the river Don since 1983, there is no doubt in my mind that this bridge is wanted, and more to the point desperately needed. “Over the years, I have consistently campaigned, along with fellow Liberal Democrats, for this crossing. Thousands of houses have been built north of the River Don during this time, and the local infrastructure is under a great deal of strain. The crossing is essential. It is also now linked to resolving the congestion that bedevils the Haudagain Roundabout.” “The plans are now moving forward because it has been led by the Liberal Democrats and is now supported by the Conservatives and SNP. In spite of overwhelming local support for a third crossing, Labour oppose these plans - a fact which will not be lost on anyone living north of the Don. He added: “I support public transport, and would urge people to use alternatives to the car wherever possible. However, public transport alone cannot be expected to resolve a traffic problem which has built up over the past thirty years. “I urge local people to express their strong support for the new bridge.”

Mon 8th Mar 2010:

[Lib Dems Targetting Success]

Returning from this weekend’s Scottish Liberal Democrat conference local Lib Dem PPC Jean Davis was upbeat about likely Party success at the upcoming election. ‘We are currently the second Party in Scotland both in terms of seats and of votes cast at Westminster and I expect us to maintain and build on this situation, and to see a significant increase in our vote here in the Western Isles.’ ‘We are the only Party standing up for rural Scotland, committed to devolving power and resources closer to the people they are intended to serve.’ ‘The unprecedented centralisation of power by the SNP is totally unacceptable. They want independence but only as far as Holyrood. It’s centralism gone mad and it is turning off the voters.’ ‘We are the only Party committed to fairness and equality of opportunity. We will simplify the tax system and ensure that no one who earns less than £10,000 a year pays tax at all. We will improve the chances of children through the pupil premium and by returning teacher numbers to the level achieved when we were in power in Holyrood and we, and only we, will clean up politics.’ ‘We understand the need for a mixed, green and sustainable local economy where residents are engaged and contributing, not being dictated to.’ ‘Everyone at conference was enthusiastic and positive and we are all looking forward to the campaign ahead’

Fri 5th Mar 2010:

[A fairer society for all]

Scottish Liberal Democrats called for greater emphasis on a fairer society for all, at the party conference on Saturday. Commenting on this motion, Michael Moore MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk said: “The divide between rich and poor is still all too evident in the UK. “The SNP Government in Scotland has failed to tackle the income gap with regressive policies that unduly benefit the rich and do nothing to help the poor. “The Labour Government is forcing millions of people on low incomes to pay hundreds of pounds in income tax every year. “Many people in low-paid jobs find that working simply doesn’t pay “The Liberal Democrats are the party in the UK who will bring much needed change to this unjust system. “We want a new fairer society for all. “Our radical tax proposals will close the loopholes exploited by the very wealthy, so we can take the income tax threshold up to £10,000 for everyone. “This will save middle and low earners £700 a year and take 530,000 Scots out of income tax altogether. “A fair society is one where the very well off shoulder a bigger share of the burden.”

Earlier Stories

[Complete archive on the official site]