Just before Christmas, Scottish Liberal Democrat members received a newsletter which contained a “Twinterview” with Chief Whip and Scottish Deputy Leader Alistair Carmichael. This is a chat he had with me – in which questions and answers had to be within 140 characters reproduced here for your amusement.

CL: You clearly enjoy social media despite the risk that it might get you into trouble some day. Why do you do it and what do you like about it?

AC: Despite? Because of the risk! Facebook allows me to stay in touch with party members & constituents and indulge my obsession with pandas

CL: Pandas?

AC: Go to Youtube and search “Never Say No To Panda”. It may not appeal to everyone but it makes me laugh. Humour helps me cope with stress.

CL: Congrats on your new role as Deputy Leader. Everyone does the job their way. What do you want to achieve?

AC: Supporting Willie Rennie in rebuilding the party, explaining what we achieve in government at Westminster and what we could do at Holyrood

CL: What’s your top tip for persuading people to join the Liberal Democrats?

AC: Be confident, positive and ask! Tell people what we’ve achieved. I am fed up with Lib Dems apologising 2 Labour 4 us cleaning up their mess.

CL: So what are these achievements that you want us to tell people about?

AC: More than I can put in 140 characters! Recommend you should read the pamphlet “What Have the Liberal Democrats Ever Done For Us?”

CL: Go on. Give me your top three!

AC: Income tax cuts for low and middle earners, largest ever increase in the state pension and ending child detention for immigration purposes

CL: Why do you think we are “Better Together” in the UK?

AC: Being in the UK allows us a voice in world affairs while maintaining the economic, cultural and family links we have built up over 300 years

CL: Why are Tories being allowed to stack the cards for Trident replacement? £350M for design work! (that was from Paul McGarry on Twitter).

AC: They are not! Stop believing what you read in the Guardian, Paul! The contracts announced recently were all part of the pre-maingate process

CL: Tip for the perfect Christmas cake?

AC: Bake it early, follow Delia’s recipe to the letter, soak it in brandy and involve your children in every stage – especially the decoration.

CL: And if you don’t have children?

AC: Just ask. You can borrow mine!

And as a little bonus, here’s the Panda video Alistair was talking about.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social