The SUMMER NEWSLETTER Published and promoted by Scottish Liberal Democrats, 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR
Thank you Charles By Willie Rennie
He was in his element on the campaign trail - stealing the show in a TV debate We have lost a liberal giant but are on independence, a joust with thankful to Charles Kennedy for everything that he contributed to our opponents in a public meeting in Portree or greeting people on the country and our party. streets of Dunfermline. With that cheeky smile, Highland voice His wise counsel and gentle and a few simple words, Charles encouragement is something I Kennedy captured the political hearts especially valued. I will miss of the nation. him so much. Charles had a unique combination of Share your fondest political talent and public affection. He memory of Charles at had a healthy disdain for policy detail scotlibdems.org.uk/charles but had highly tuned political instincts.
Welcome to our new members! Since the election more than 15,000 new members have joined the Liberal Democrats, with several hundred of these in Scotland. Over the first week following the election, people were joining the Liberal Democrats at a rate of one new member every 40 seconds. Willie Rennie said, “The fact that so many people have joined since polling day gives me great hope. The values that we hold dear as liberals – freedom, fairness, equality and
HQ@ScotLibDems.org.uk
opportunity - are as important as ever. “Already we have seen the Tory government move to scrap the Human Rights Act and reintroduce legislation like the Snoopers Charter that the Liberal Democrats were able to block in government. “My message to the hundreds of new members in Scotland is very simple. Welcome to the family. I look forward to campaigning with you in the weeks and months to come.”
@ScotLibDems
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S T H G I L H G I H N G I A P CAM We’re incredibly proud of our campaign teams and activists all over Scotland. We fought one of the biggest general election campaigns that our party has ever seen. In many of our target seats the votes actually increased on 2010! Here is a light hearted snapshot of the campaign. Thank you for making it what it was!
"In campaigning terms, the LibDems did a lot right. They started working early, had a clear objective, and ruthlessly focused their efforts...the campaign was five times bigger than any previous one in Scotland. The Herald We lost many seats and a vast amount of talent at the election but our spirit remains strong. This is demonstrated by the 15,000 new members who have joined our party in the weeks since the election.
With the nationalists winning almost all of the seats in Scotland we must punch above our weight again to challenge them on the illiberal and divisive agenda they are following.
At Holyrood, our team of 5 MSPs punch above our weight on issues such as justice, colleges, nursery education and police. We can do the same at Westminster.
Our plan is to rebuild the party to ensure that there are strong liberal voices in Scotland. To do that I need your help.
Now that we can see the effect of unbridled conservatism in government we know what difference we made, but now that voice must speak from the opposition benches. Be in no doubt that our voice will be loud.
We need you to help sign up new members, join your local campaign team - even set one up, knock on doors and deliver our liberal message to Scotland.
S T H G I L H G I H N G I CAMPA
Willie Rennie turned the Tuesday night grilling to his advantage by making the case for his party as the moderating force in British politics
STV News
Rennie sprung a surprise on Nicola Sturgeon...when he had his chance, he nailed his opponents. Daily Mail
The LibDems, of all parties, have a right to be proud of what they have achieved in the past five years. They did act as a counterforce to the Tory right. David Aaronvitch, The Times
Thanks to the yellow end of the government benches, the Human Rights Act still safeguards our liberties, the inheritance tax threshold has not exceeded ÂŁ1m, and there has been no like-for-like replacement of Trident. STV News
OUR LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES
HAVE THEIR SAY: Why did you join the Liberal Democrats?
What would be your top priority as leader of our party?
I joined the Liberals at 16 because I looked around me at what was happening to the north of England in the 1980’s and knew that I had to stand up and make a difference. I have been involved ever since I became a Young Liberal as a teenager and at the heart of what I have always been about is giving real power to people, hating the idea of people being treated as second class citizens, giving a voice to the voiceless, always on the side of the underdog.
My priority as leader would be to rebuild our party from the grassroots up. I am pledging to work with the party in Scotland to do all I can to make the 2016 elections a success. My top priority would be to rebuild a powerful, progressive Liberal movement of change - connecting with all those people who share our values but who don't at present associate themselves with the Lib Dems - because the Liberal voice and Liberal values will be under threat but are needed more than ever.
What is your proudest achievement in politics?
Who is your liberal hero and why?
My proudest moment must be actually implementing Liberal values in Government in mental health, particularly giving many people a right to timely access to treatment for the first time because that must surely be what it is all about - making a difference to people's lives. In terms of the party, when I was president I brought paid internships into HQ. I have always believed that politics should not be about who you know and how well off you are – it’s about opportunity for all.
My Liberal hero is John Maynard Keynes because his work had such a profound effect on people's lives in the last century challenging the economic orthodoxy which had led to mass unemployment and recognising that Government action is necessary. My liberal hero is David Penhaligon. He is someone who fought for our party in difficult times and worked tirelessly to fight for the values of our party. He is my model for what my leadership would be: principled, dogged and determined.
Want to hear more from Norman and Tim? We are delighted that the two candidates standing for the leadership of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron and Norman Lamb will be participating in two hustings events in Scotland. These meetings will be open to all members of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. You will hear from both candidates and then have the opportunity to put questions to them. An induction loop will be available and both venues are wheelchair accessible but please call 0131 337 2314 if you have any questions about accessibility.
Saturday 27th June
Saturday 27th June
Edinburgh: 10.00 to 12.00 Hilton Grosvenor Hotel, Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, EH12 5EF (2 minute walk from Haymarket train station)
Aberdeen: 15.30 to 17.30 Station Hotel, 78 Guild Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6GN (1 minute walk from Aberdeen train/bus station)
Have your say 2016 Manifesto Roadshows The Scottish Liberal Democrats are holding a series of manifesto roadshow meetings for members across Scotland to hear policy ideas for the 2016 Scottish Parliament manifesto. Willie Rennie will be at a number of the roadshows and has described the process as the party’s “biggest and most democratic listening exercise.” This is the opportunity to put forward ideas on all aspects of policy devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
How to take part Each manifesto roadshow is open to all party members. A representative from Policy Committee will lead the discussion and make sure everyone has the chance to take part in the discussion. There is no need to book in advance, but if you do at matthew.clark.holyrood@gmail.com you can have an advance copy of the policy guide that will be used on the night. Where and when If it is your first Lib Dem meeting you can let us Thursday 4th June - 7.30pm ross know and we can make sure that someone from Kinross Church Centre, Kin th 0pm the host local party is able to welcome you on the Monday 8 June - 7.3 l, St Andrews Hal n Tow The night. m, Roo per The Sup Monday 15th June - 7.30pm tern Road, Glasgow The Pond Hotel, Great Wes th Thursday 18 June - 7.30pm rch Hall, Aberdeen Chu Queens Cross Monday 22nd June - 7.30pm tre, Old Monkland Rd Coatbridge Community Cen Monday 22nd June - 7.30pm ns, Aberdeenshire Learney Arms Hotel, Torphi 0pm th Thursday 25 June - 7.3 ll gwa The National Hotel, Din st Wednesday 1 July - 7.30pm Hall, Galashiels eer The Volunt Thursday 2nd July - 7.30pm Edinburgh The Eric Liddell Centre,
Autumn Conference Our Autumn Conference 2015 will take place on Saturday 24th October at the Vine Venue in Dunfermline. The full agenda for the day will be published around 11th September. Dates for your diary: Ÿ Deadline for submission of policy motions – midday on Friday 21st August Ÿ Deadline for submission of amendments – midday on Wednesday 21st October Ÿ Deadline for submission of emergency motions – 5pm on Friday 23rd October
You can use the enclosed booking form to register for conference or call us on 0131 337 2314 if you have any questions. It costs just £10 for a first time attendee for the whole day and all members attending conference are entitled to speak and vote in policy debates.
Adam: Hi Rebecca could you just tell us a bit about yourself? Rebecca: Hi! I’m Rebecca, I live in Helensburgh and I am one of the new Liberal Democrat members! A: Thanks! So why did you decide to join the Liberal Democrats? With over 15,000 new members joining the Liberal Democrats since polling day the fight back has begun. Scottish Liberal Democrats Communications Director, Adam Clarke decided to catch up with Rebecca, one of the 15,000 new members, to find out why she has joined. You can help the fightback by signing up a family member or friend at www.scotlibdems. org.uk/join
R: I was part of the BBC’s “Generation 2015” project which gave young people the chance to get their voices heard. I'd gone into the project as an undecided voter but soon it was apparent that I was flying the flag for Liberalism without even really realising; in the policies I was agreeing with and 'red lines' the Lib Dems put in place that made sense to me. A: What had stopped you from joining our party before now? My Granny has been a member of the Liberal Democrats for a very long time, and my late grandfather was also, so in my head I'd associated membership with being part of that generation - not that there's anything wrong with that generation at all! A: What do you think should be our top priority for the coming year? Honestly, I don't think I'm qualified to answer that! But I'd say we need to regain people's trust. I don't think we should apologise for our time in government because the Liberal Democrats did some really great things, but that doesn't change the fact that there are those who feel betrayed and showing that we're a party that deserves trust and respect will be paramount in our fight back. Especially in this coming year. A: Thanks Rebecca, I hope to see you out campaigning with us over the summer!
Inclusion Scotland are keen to hear from members in Scotland who identify as disabled about their experience of engaging with party politics, being selected as candidates and seeking to get elected. Contact Phyl Meyer on 0131 281 0864 or phyl@inclusionscotland.org
Stand for election in 2016 Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who stood as a candidate in the recent General Election. We are very grateful for all your efforts on the party's behalf. But no rest for the wicked! We are now selecting all 73 constituency candidates to stand for the Scottish Parliament in May 2016. All approved candidates are encouraged to apply. We will be running more approval days over the summer and autumn. If you wish to become an approved candidate, please
email candidates@libdems.org.uk for an application form as soon as possible. Please note that you need to be a member for 9 months before you can go for approval. If you are new to the party, rest assured there are many other ways you can contribute to campaigning in the meantime. You could consider standing for election to your local council, where elections will be held in 2017. Good luck and happy campaigning!
Katy Gordon, Campaigns & Candidates Convener katy@katygordon.f2s.com