- Lib Dems: water regulation in our country is broken
- Ofwat: Finally Government listened to Lib Dems
- Scot Lib Dems comment on confirmation of Trump visit dates
- Cole-Hamilton: SNP want to focus on independence, I want to focus on NHS
- Cole-Hamilton: SNP want to focus on independence, I want to focus on NHS
Lib Dems: water regulation in our country is broken
Responding to the news that the number of the most serious water pollution incidents went up by 60% last year, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Tim Farron said:
This record of failure shows water regulation in our country is broken.
Water companies are getting away with polluting our rivers on an industrial scale and face little more than a slap on the wrist.
The government must bring forward a proper overhaul of our water sector starting by scrapping the failed watchdog Ofwat.
People are fed up with empty promises from ministers while Britain’s waterways continue to be ruined by sewage.
Ofwat: Finally Government listened to Lib Dems
Responding to reports that the Government will scrap Ofwat, Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:
At last, the Government has listened to the Liberal Democrats. Since November 2022, Liberal Democrats have been calling for Ofwat to be scrapped- and if the Government do not commit to this, it would be a dereliction of their duty and a betrayal of millions of customers across the country.
But the Government must not stop here, and we will continue to hold them accountable. Britain now needs a new, effective regulator, to stop the sewage scandal once and for all.
Today we see again that there has been a dramatic increase in sewage spills. Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for customers, citizens and for cleaner water.
Scot Lib Dems comment on confirmation of Trump visit dates
Commenting on confirmation of dates for Donald Trump’s visit to the UK on 25th to 29th July, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:
Donald Trump’s Presidency has been deeply worrying for millions of people in the UK and around the world.
From trade wars to praising Putin, there are plenty of warning signs that he is not looking out for anyone’s interest but his own.
While I don’t expect he will get a warm reception from the Scottish public, it’s clear that John Swinney should use this opportunity to try to tackle the threat that Trump’s tariffs pose to Scottish businesses.
He should also make quite clear commitments that the we want to see the entire Western world stand with Ukraine and ensure that their brave fighting men and women are given the tools they need to fend off Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Scot Lib Dems comment on Fife beach closures
Responding to report that two Fife beaches have been closed to swimmers due to high levels of bacteria in the water, Mid Scotland and Fife list candidate Cllr Claire McLaren said:
Residents of Kinghorn and Burntisland will want to know the reason for this closure and what will be done to prevent repeats like this in the future.
Everyone wants to see clean and pristine beaches that we all can enjoy.
Scottish Liberal Democrats have published plans for a Clean Water Act that would bring our water network into the 21st century, clamp down on dumping and clear up our waterways. That’s a key reason why people should vote for us on the peach-coloured regional ballot next May.
Cole-Hamilton: SNP want to focus on independence, I want to focus on NHS
Responding to the First Minister’s new strategy for independence, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:
One of the major reasons that the SNP took such a beating at last year’s general election is that people are sick of them bleating about breaking up the UK, rather than focusing on health, education and the miserable state of the Scottish economy. It seems like the First Minister is a glutton for punishment.
John Swinney’s total faith in independence to solve every problem is delusional and out of touch.
Hundreds of thousands of Scots are stuck on waiting lists. That’s why at next year’s election, I will choose fixing the NHS while John Swinney will choose the squabbles of the past. I want to urge everyone to back the Liberal Democrats using your peach-coloured regional ballot paper next May to focus on what really matters.
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2 Comments
In 2014 the people of Scotland were persuaded that voting for independence would lead to us losing our place in the EU and the country would face years of austerity. A decade later, Scotland has been taken out of the EU and it continues to suffer year after year of austerity, with public services far worse than they were in 2014.
Unless the four Unionist parties – Labour, Tory, Lib Dem and Reform – are able to persuade the majority of voters in Scotland that things are likely to improve in the very near future, perhaps they may be willing to risk independence as a way forward. I don’t expect a pro-independence majority to be re-elected in 2026 but we can’t just assume it won’t happen.
Austerity has been going on for over 15 years, and EU membership didn’t make a single difference in that respect. There was plenty of poverty and deprivation in Scotland throughout our membership. Independence would leave Scotland with insurmountable pension liabilities that would bankrupt it. And yet, you think London is so remote that you’d prefer some faceless bureaucrats in Brussels. Scotland’s only route back into the EU is through the UK rejoining, and that’s not happening for generations.