3 January 2007

Stephen's New Year Message: Lib Dems Determined to Succeed

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Nicol Stephen has used his New Year Message to set out why the Liberal Democrats are “the party of the future”.

In his New Year Message Nicol Stephen has set out how the Dunfermline by-election result from 2006 shows what the party can achieve in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections.

Nicol Stephen MSPNicol Stephen MSPIn his New Year Message Scottish Liberal Democrat party leader and Deputy First Minister, Nicol Stephen says:

“This has been a momentous year for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Our success in the Dunfermline by-election sent shockwaves through the foundations of UK and Scottish politics. The Liberal Democrats achieved a massive 16% swing from Labour and Willie Rennie gained the seat. It was a turning point and for the first time it is now clear the Liberal Democrats can be Scotland's largest party. The party is growing in support, particularly amongst young people and increasingly in new parts of Scotland.

“Since Dunfermline Labour and the SNP have resorted to their usual bitter, tribal battles, name calling, and never-ending negativity. While they fight each other the Liberal Democrats will fight for better schools and hospitals.

“More and more people are prepared to make the switch to the Liberal Democrats - Dunfermline has shown that. Historic family voting traditions are breaking down. And when people look at the options it is the Liberal Democrats who are winning support.

“We all know that support for Labour, dominant for so long, is slipping. Betrayal of trust on Iraq and unqualified support for George Bush has turned the country against Tony Blair.

“The Liberal Democrats in contrast, are positive about young people, committed to green renewable energy and determined to invest more in public transport.

“There is something new about the Liberal Democrats in Scotland. We are the party of the future. Building on our experience in government we have a new determination to succeed.

“We are better placed than ever before - better funded, better organised and better supported. We are the party with momentum in Scotland – and as we showed in Dunfermline we are determined to succeed.”