Lib Dems ‘on verge’ of beating SNP in many seats, Cole-Hamilton says

The Scottish Liberal Democrats are “on the verge of winning against the SNP” in many constituencies, the party’s leader has said.

Alex Cole-Hamilton made the comment during a visit to a cafe in Linlithgow on Saturday, where he was setting out his party’s plans for bringing down the cost of living.

He said these would include bringing down heating bills through an emergency insulation programme and a faster rollout of climate-friendly heating and solar panels.

Mr Cole-Hamilton also pledged to rewrite community benefit rules so that local people get more of the money companies make from renewable energy generation in their area.

“Scotland has so much going for it, but right now it feels like our country simply isn’t working,” he said.

“I speak with so many constituents who say that their pay cheques just don’t go as far as they used to.

“Days out with kids or grandkids are becoming rare treats, rather than something everyone can enjoy.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats have a realistic plan to get things done.

“We will bring down energy bills and protect you from volatile fossil fuel prices through an emergency insulation programme and by accelerating the rollout of clever, climate-friendly heating and solar panels.

“We will securely power Scotland with our own cheaper cleaner energy: a mission that must go hand-in-hand with re-writing community benefit rules so local people get much more of the money companies make from generating renewable energy near them.

“We will make it easier to do business and stop sudden tax hikes threatening successful employers by reforming business rates.

“Let me be straight with you. You have two votes. In many constituencies we are on the verge of winning against the SNP but wherever you are, every vote for the Scottish Liberal Democrats on the second peach ballot will deliver change with fairness at its heart.

“Scotland deserves better and with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you can vote for it.”