Author Archives: Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie MSP’s New Year Message: 3 vital issues we must tackle in 2013

By Willie Rennie | Mon 31st December 2012 - 3:59 pm

Saltire - St Andrews Flag - Scotland - Some rights reserved by byronv2After the merriment of Christmas, New Year is a time to look forward. A time to set new goals and ambitions. A time to confront those things that we have put off in previous years.

For most, this will mean eating less and exercising more but as a nation we are confronted with far greater challenges than losing a few pounds.

The welfare state was constructed and sustained with the goal of eradicating what Beveridge called “the five giant evils of society” – squalor, ignorance, want, idleness and disease.

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Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie MSP’s Christmas message: Strong liberal voices fight for young people, stand up to vested interests and work with others

By Willie Rennie | Mon 24th December 2012 - 5:43 pm

Scotland supporter Murrayfield - Some rights reserved by Random Things Entering My field Of VisionOver the last year journalists, opponents, perhaps even some supporters were writing us off.  How could a group of five MSPs, cut by two thirds in the Scottish Parliamentary Elections, make any impact on the Scottish political scene? Although our opponents will always deride us in public, I know that in private they are fizzing that Liberal Democrats continue to punch above our weight.

Scotland is, by and large, a tolerant, liberal, understanding, compassionate country. Its …

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Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie writes: Salmond must tell us what Ryder Cup trip cost

By Willie Rennie | Wed 10th October 2012 - 7:47 pm

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie writes for local newspapers in his Mid Scotland and Fife constituency:

The excitement surrounding Team Europe’s victory in the Ryder Cup should bring the opportunity that comes our way at Gleneagles in two years time into sharp focus.

250,000 people poured onto the course between the first strike of the ball during the practice rounds and the last putt of the final pairings.

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Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie’s New Year Message

By Willie Rennie | Sat 31st December 2011 - 11:55 am

In May, we were nearly wiped off from the Scottish Parliamentary map. I got it. I understood why that happened.

But equally I am convinced that liberalism, not nationalism, will dominate Scottish political landscape in the years ahead.  Our values are embedded in a rich seem of Scottish history and endure despite political setbacks.

Our small team in the Scottish Parliament has shown over the last six months why we need strong liberal voices.

On centralising of the police, places for college students, housing for those in need, the Supreme Court, equal marriage, riots, prison reform, sectarianism and so many other issues we …

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Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie’s Christmas Message

By Willie Rennie | Fri 23rd December 2011 - 3:55 pm

As we gather with friends and family this Christmas, it is important that we, both individually and collectively, look back, take stock and reflect on the last year.

There is no doubt it has been an extremely testing time for political leaders with falling budgets, economic turbulence, growing unemployment and social problems that threaten to rip the fabric of society.

Making decisions when there are no easy answers is difficult but those problems are nought compared with those who are unemployed, face the threat of unemployment or are struggling to make ends meet.

To be fair, this is the focus of all politicians …

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Willie Rennie

Willie Rennie MSP writes: Time for radical action on alcohol misuse in Scotland

By Willie Rennie | Mon 6th June 2011 - 1:57 pm

Alcohol misuse continues to blight the whole of Scottish society, wrecking individual lives and harming families and communities. I have seen and heard the impact when I am talking to people on doorsteps. From damaging public health, through crime in local neighbourhoods, to dependence pulling families apart, we all suffer. I believe that radical action is needed and will therefore support moves to introduce a minimum unit pricing mechanism in Scotland.

​There is no quick fix to Scotland’s alcohol problem. The scale and complexity of the challenge requires a fundamental change to our culture of drinking to excess. Over the last few years we have seen significant changes to licensing law and many positive new powers have been put in place. A Licensing Act came into force in 2009, banning happy hours and irresponsible promotions in pubs and clubs. More recently the 2010 Alcohol Act bans multi-buy promotions in shops and supermarkets, restricts promotional material on display in shops and requires all retailers to operate the ‘Challenge 25’ scheme to tackle underage sales.

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Posted in Op-eds | 12 Comments
Willie Rennie

Opinion: How the Liberal Democrats should fight the European elections

By Willie Rennie | Thu 8th January 2009 - 12:13 pm

European cooperation was initially designed to avoid another world war but because this has been so successful only a few on the extremes believe there is any prospect of war between western European countries today. It’s not a danger that most British people think is realistic. Although Lib Dems will highlight this major achievement in the European Elections in June it is unlikely to shift a significant number of votes in our favour.

The European Union has also made significant improvements to the lives of people which is something we will highlight in our communications. Yet people rarely …

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Posted in Europe / International and Op-eds | Tagged and | 18 Comments



Recent Comments

  • User AvatarChris Keating 19th May - 1:49pm
    @Simon - what bollocks. Slapping a "it was reported" or "allegedly" on the front of an article doesn't void the papers' duty to check the...
  • User AvatarJennie 19th May - 1:46pm
    you know everyone I speak to about pass regulation outside of politics says there should only be one hard and fast rule - corrections should...
  • User AvatarCllr Mike Beckett 19th May - 1:34pm
    The Sun telling lies to sell papers, depressingly enough doesn't strike me as news, rather the boiled down essence of Murdoch's business strategy...
  • User AvatarSimon 19th May - 1:29pm
    The Guardian and Telegraph stories are accurate. They include the words "it was reported". As the picture makes clear, it was indeed reported. Neither newspaper...
  • User AvatarHelen Dudden 19th May - 1:14pm
    @RC, nothing that is extreme I can assure you. If you join a coalition you are part of the Government in power, you mostly will...