Storm for Lib Dems after Willie Rennie's coalition comments
A leading Fife Liberal Democrat has been accused of hypocrisy after a leaked email revealed his misgivings over the UK coalition government.
Willie Rennie.
- By David Clegg, political reporter
- Published in the Courier : 16.04.11
- Published online : 16.04.11 @ 09.55am
Willie Rennie, who is the Lib Dems' top candidate on the Mid Scotland and Fife list for Holyrood, said the party "don't like" working with the Conservatives because "we remember what they did to Scotland."
The revelations will cause embarrassment for Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott, who has attempted to switch focus away from the coalition during his party's Holyrood election campaign.
Mr Rennie, who was the MP for Dunfermline West until losing the seat at last year's general election, was responding to a former constituent who had expressed dissatisfaction with the coalition.
The email, which has been seen by The Courier, reads, "I'm sorry that you feel let down by the Lib Dems.
"We don't like working with the Tories. We remember what they did to Scotland in the 1980s.
"However, we had to get involved to stop the Tories doing their worst."
Mr Rennie then highlights coalition policies he believes have benefited Scotland, including moves to end child detention at Dungavel immigration centre, cut down on tax evasion and reduce income tax for low earners.
He concludes, "It's difficult being in coalition, with Labour or the Tories, especially when difficult decisions are required, but we were determined not to run away from those difficult decisions."
Labour's election co-ordinator John Park, who is top of his party's list for Mid Scotland and Fife, insisted Mr Rennie should not be standing as a candidate for the Lib Dems if he disagreed with the coalition.
Hand in glove
"If Willie Rennie hates the Tories so much why is he happy standing for election for the Lib Dems who are working hand in glove with the Conservatives?" he asked.
"He says he remembers what the Tories did to Scotland in the 1980s-does that mean he is calling for the coalition to be broken up?
"This is typical of the Lib Dems — they have one position for one elector and another position for others. It's two-faced and completely hypocritical.
"Mr Rennie should maybe think again and stand down now."
But Mr Rennie defended the email, saying the views expressed were "absolutely consistent" with what he had said publicly about the coalition.
He said, "My position is quite straightforward. I am anti-Conservative and pro-coalition.
"We are in the coalition to deliver on our manifesto and to stop the worst of Tory policies being brought in.
"I remember the 1980s and the devastation caused by Margaret Thatcher. I do not want to see that happen again."
The row comes amid continued speculation over how the Westminster coalition with the Conservatives will affect the Liberal Democrats' electoral prospects in Scotland.
Some polls have suggested the party could have as few as five MSPs after the election, down from 16 in 2007.
Party leader Tavish Scott has admitted the coalition has made for a "challenging" Holyrood campaign.
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