LIBERAL DEMOCRATS MUST HOLD UK GOVERNMENT TO 'RESPECT' PLEDGE

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS MUST HOLD UK GOVERNMENT TO 'RESPECT' PLEDGE
Kenneth Gibson MSP has today told the Scottish Liberal Democrats that they must act to ensure that the new UK Conservative-Liberal Democrat government's pledge to treat the Scotland with "respect" amounts to more than just warm words.

SNP MSP for Cunninghame North Mr Gibson said:
"Tavish Scott told the Scots electorate that a vote for the Liberal Democrats would make Scotland a Tory-free zone. Instead, the Liberal Democrats have landed Scotland with a Tory government, even though Scotland emphatically rejected the Tories at the polls. They must now, at the very least, ensure that Scotland gets the powers it needs to protect our economy and public services from the effects of the massive spending cuts that the new UK government intends to make.

"There are some elements of the coalition agreement that I am happy to support. As First Minister Alex Salmond has done, I wholeheartedly welcome the pledge to end the detention of children in Dungavel, for example. But former Liberal Democrat policies to scrap Trident and the Scotland Office have disappeared and there is silence on most of the crucial issues for Scotland.

"Will the Liberal Democrats fight to secure the borrowing powers and the acceleration of capital spending that the Scottish Government needs to stimulate our economy and create jobs, and which the last UK government refused? Will they make sure that Scotland gets access to our fossil fuel levy and the consequential funding from spending on the Olympics, which were denied to us by Labour?

"Respect for Scotland must be about more than just warm words from the Con-Lib government - it must also mean action to deliver the powers that Scotland needs to grow the economy, protect jobs and secure the recovery. The Scottish Liberal Democrats must ensure this happens, and they are on notice."