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Tavish Scott favourite to lead Scottish Lib Dems



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Published Date: 08 July 2008
By HAMISH MACDONELL
THERE will be at least three contenders for the Scottish Liberal Democrat leadership, it was confirmed yesterday, after Tavish Scott and Ross Finnie joined Mike Rumbles in the contest to succeed Nicol Stephen.
Mr Scott already has the public support of six of the party's 16 MSPs, leaving only seven MSPs to be fought over by Mr Finnie and Mr Rumbles.

Mr Scott also has the support of seven of the party's 11 MPs and with two MPs, Malcolm Bruce and Michael Moore, unable to declare their support for any of the candidates because they are office-holders, that leaves two MPs for the other two candidates.

These public endorsements made the Shetland MSP the clear front-runner when he announced his nomination at lunchtime yesterday.

Mr Scott said: "Our party must speak to Scotland's people about those things that most concern them and not just those that most interest politicians."

Mr Finnie, the 61-year-old former rural development minister, said he had been "very encouraged" from soundings taken among colleagues and his family.

He added: "They certainly believe, or appear to believe, that I have the qualities necessary to be a leader."



The full article contains 202 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 07 July 2008 9:52 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Liberal Democrats
 
1

Vivas,

Edinburgh 08/07/2008 01:04:51
I'm providing a "sympathy" comment here as this is a matter of such extreme disinterest ;-)
2

donald,

glasgow 08/07/2008 05:13:06
Just like his Leader's demise.
3

BIG EYE,

Paisley 08/07/2008 08:27:19
Not really interested but thought it would be nice if I increased the comments by 50%.

There please let us know when this intense contest is concluded.
4

Doh,

08/07/2008 09:26:21


Okay I will increase the comments and probably vote for Ross Finnie - since he was an effective minister and is not an egomaniac like the dear leader.
5

Alan B,

08/07/2008 09:42:18
Have been impressed with Rumbles the few times i have seen him on tv. He outperformed Stephen during the last election for lib dem leader but bizzarely they elected stephen and got inevitable thrashing at the scottish election.

If the lib dems want to turn round their party they need to stop selecting leaders that in the in crowd within the msps. they did this with stephen and it did not work.

Finnie comes across quite well on tv too. Scott from what i have seen it the poorest of the candidates.

What i liked about Finnie over the Stephen type of candidate is that he is more positive and not petty in the way Stephen came across.

At the end of the day the lib dems have to find a definitive cutting edge. Fiscal autonomy with a strong scottish parliament advocated apparently by Rumbles seem the most logical way to progress. Currently they have lost any dynamism and any ability to sell their message.

Bringing Kennedy back the scottish parliament would be a good move. As he along with Salmond are 2 figures that tower above the rest in scottish politics.

6

Queen D,

Glasgow 08/07/2008 10:38:18
Noooooooooo!
7

M.Corleone,

2nd Vatican State...... Coatbridge 08/07/2008 11:30:58
What...all 3 Lib Dems in the race ? There won't be anyone left to vote surely ?
8

Neil,

Glasgow 08/07/2008 11:33:23
Tavish is the official business as usual candidate just as Nicol was previously & as both Ming & Clegg were at national levels.

Whether this is a point for or against depends on what you think of LudDim business as usual.
9

Gregor Addison,

Glasgow 08/07/2008 11:44:18
I've been impressed by Rumbles too and think he is the most pragmatic thinker running for the leadership. I would like to know, however, when the Lib Dems intend setting out their stall on federalism and explaining just what they mean by that. It's a flagship policy they only pay lip service to. While Alex Salmond lays out his stall on independence the only other viable option - federalism - is the Lib Dem's best kept secret. Or is it the case that even the Lib Dems don't think it can be delivered?
10

Brian Hill,

Edinburgh 08/07/2008 13:15:38
So, much I would prefer Mike Rumbles, without question wee Tavish will be much easier for wee Eck to handle.

You see, Tavish has an ego to overcome, a self image to preserve. Everything he says and does will be governed by those factors. Mike Rumbles has no such problems, he is comfortable within himself, smart enough to present his case well and confident enough to know when to push and when to concede to a better idea.

M R would undoubtedly be better for the Liberals (oh I wish they still were)and for the Parliament as a whole.

Stick with it Mike and good luck.
11

KampungHighlander,

Jakarta 08/07/2008 14:39:52
#5 Alan B
"Have been impressed with Rumbles the few times i have seen him on tv." "Finnie comes across quite well on tv too. Scott from what i have seen it the poorest of the candidates."

So, given the LibDem love affair with mediocrity, Tavish Scott will win.

#9 Gregor Addison
"I would like to know, however, when the Lib Dems intend setting out their stall on federalism and explaining just what they mean by that. It's a flagship policy they only pay lip service to."

So does RuleButNotRulers.

 

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