Caron Lindsay

Willie Rennie: highlights of his first two years as Scottish Liberal Democrat leader

By | Fri 17th May 2013 - 1:06 pm

willie news cuttingsIt’s two years today since Willie Rennie was elected Scottish Liberal Democrat leader.

Here are some of the highlights of his first two years in the job:

The first interview – I was there in North Queensferry when he kicked off his leadership in the sunshine. At that point it had rained every day since the Nationalists had won their overall majority.

He was soon calling out Alex Salmond for attacking a senior Supreme Court judge.

And being praised by journalists.

Then he spent 24 hours with carer Clare Lally – and he still keeps in touch with her and her family.

Standing up against the SNP’s illiberal bill to tackle sectarianism.

Standing up to the Catholic Church’s threats on equal marriage.

Urging Alex Salmond to meet the Dalai Lama instead of pandering to the Chinese Government. Not to mention meeting the Dalai Lama himself and subsequently sending him a DVD of the Reverend I M Jolly to explain the meaning of the word “dour”!

Making Salmond squirm over the First Minister’s pandering to Murdoch.

I have a feeling he won’t be on Donald Trump’s Christmas Card list any time soon.

His successful fight for extra college funding secured praise from the NUS of all people.

Now, he’s fighting for Scotland’s poorest two year olds to get 15 hours of nursery a week to give them the best start in life.

In two years, he’s travelled the length and breadth of Scotland many times over to enthuse and motivate activists. He’s stood up to vested interests trying to wield more than their fair share of power at others’ expense. He’s fought for children and young people and tried to focus thinking on the serious issues facing Scotland. No, that’s not the independence referendum, it’s caring for an aging population and reducing poverty.

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

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