Commenting on Gordon Brown’s ministerial reshuffle, Tavish Scott, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said:

“Gordon Brown’s administration has become a government of retreads. As every motorist knows, replacing the tyres doesn’t make the car run any better.”

Reacting to the appointment of Jim Murphy as the new Secretary of State for Scotland, Tavish Scott added:

“The key test for the new Scottish Secretary will be whether he accepts the principle that money which the taxpayer invests in frontline services should continue to go to councils regardless of whether Holyrood decides to scrap the discredited Council Tax. Will he put the needs of Scottish communities before the Labour Government?

”Will Jim Murphy be brave enough to recognise the need for Home Rule and back Liberal Democrat calls for the Scottish Parliament to have responsibility for raising its own money?”