REFERENDUM CONFUSION FROM LIBDEM BY-ELECTION CANDIDATE.

REFERENDUM CONFUSION FROM LIBDEM BY-ELECTION CANDIDATE.

The Lib Dems confusion over a referendum on Scotland’s constitutional
future continued today as their candidate in the Glasgow North East
by-election denied the party was to review its position in a special
conference this weekend.

On Newsnight Scotland last night (Tuesday) candidate Eileen Baxendale
denied that a review was taking place saying; “we’ve got a policy, we’re
not looking at our policy…” and when asked about the conference stated:
“I’m puzzled by what your saying. Our policy is clear…”

The Lib Dems have announced a review of their position on a referendum to
be led by Ross Finnie with a special conference held this weekend to allow
the party’s grassroots to express their views.

SNP MSP Alasdair Allan today called on the Lib Dems to clarify the purpose
of this weekend’s conference.

Dr Allan said:

“It seems the LibDems have no idea what they are doing. If their
by-election candidate is totally unaware of this weekend's conference and
the review then what is going on in their party?

“The LibDems must be clear – are they reviewing their position or are they
not?

“Members are heading to Dunfermline this weekend to let the LibDem
leadership know what they think about a referendum on Scotland’s future –
but their by-election candidate says there will be no change and there is
no review.

“We know a majority of Lib Dem voters support a referendum and many grass
roots members are deeply uncomfortable with Tavish Scott’s oppositionist
stance. Even his own MEP opposes the Lib Dem’s refusal to accept the
right of Scottish people to have their say over the country’s future.”


Interview by Gary Robertson on Newsnight Scotland with Lib Dem Glasgow
North East candidate Eileen Baxendale:

GR: We know there is to be a special conference this weekend to look at
the referendum issue, what the Scottish Lib Dems policy is on that, what’s
you stance?

EB: “we’ve got a policy, we’re not looking at our policy…

GR: You are, you’re reviewing your policy this weekend.

EB: “we’re not…

GR: Respective candidates stood up at the conference and said it was time
to bring this referendum on. Do you stand for that?

EB: “I’m puzzled by what your saying. Our policy is clear…

GR: Then why is Tavish Scott reviewing it if is clear?

EB: “he’s not really, let me finish what I saying. Two and a half years
ago Aelx Salmond had his chance. He lost the popular vote, he didn’t get a
majority to have a referendum. Ehhhh we have better things to do at the
moment in government than worry about the referendum.

GR: What about your colleagues that got up at the recent LibDem conference
and said that it should happen? George Lyon, Kevin Lang they were wrong?

EB: “The thing about the LibDems is that we’re allowed to have opinions
and are allowed to discuss and debate things. What we are doing on
Saturday at the conference is going over the issues…people say to me
‘marshalling our arguments’ about the referendum, about independence, cos
we need to do that…but we’re not…our policy is there…we’re not in favour
of a referendum, we don’t want to spend public money on that just now, we
want whoever has the powers at Holyrood should focus on the economy…