This week I have been at the UK Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth. Our UK leader Nick Clegg is in very good form. He has his main leader’s speech tomorrow. But every day at conference he has been at meetings and rallies where he has shown real and persuasive strength.Our message from Liberal Democrats at this conference to the country is that “if you want things to be different - really different - choose the party that is different, the Liberal Democrats”.
Labour’s time is up. They have let people down. Yet the Conservatives simply believe that it’s their turn. They just say what they think people want to hear. You don’t know where they really stand. They offer phoney change, not real change.
The Liberal Democrats have been straight about the difficult choices we face, even when speaking out hasn’t been popular: on Iraq, on climate change, on Northern Rock, on Trident, on political reform. On all these issues, Liberal Democrats were the first to speak out when others have remained silent. Our plans will build a fairer society, a sustainable economy and clean up politics.
In my speech to the conference on Sunday I highlighted our plans to take all those who earn less that £10,000 out of income tax completely. That will benefit about 500,000 people in Scotland. The lowest paid will gain £700 from this measure. It will be paid for by closing the loopholes used by the very rich to avoid tax. It is a measure that Scottish party members, in particular, have strongly supported as the most effective way of cutting taxes for the low paid.
On Sunday I published Liberal Democrat research which shows that the SNP will have spent £950m in four years on their tax cuts and freezes. We have shown that money has not been used to build a fairer society. A family earning £100,000 will have gained £800; a family on £15,000 will have gained just £6.07. The SNP have had their chance with £950m yet they have given more to the rich than the poor.
Another theme, which I intend to take forward in the future, is to campaign against centralisation. The current Scottish Government is intent on centralising more power in Edinburgh. They think the Minister always knows best. That is not the liberal way. I want people to have more say and control over their own communities.
On Wednesday afternoon, Nick Clegg will be addressing our conference. I know it will be an uplifting speech. At this major point before the General Election, he will set out very clearly how we will make a fresh start for Britain. It will be change for real, change for good.
Tavish Scott MSP
Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats