Willie Rennie’s campaign theme today was all about the support Lib Dems offer families. Note the impressive absence of the awful phrase “hard-working families” from any of his utterances.
He also had his son, 11 year old Stephen, with him as he and Alan Reid visited a nursery in Argyll and Bute as part of a Take your child to work day.
Here are the pair setting off from home:
It’s a family affair on the #GE15 campaign trail this morning! Stephen looking forward to helping Alan Reid in A&B. pic.twitter.com/5etY45gzn2
— Willie Rennie (@willie_rennie) April 23, 2015
And once there, Stephen really got into the swing of things and was totally undaunted by all the attention:
Stephen: “Step aside @AlanReidAandB, I will take it from here” #GE15pic.twitter.com/SldtZqztHf
— Willie Rennie (@willie_rennie) April 23, 2015
Willie outlined all the things Liberal Democrats would do to help families:
We want to build a decade of opportunity and that starts in the homes of families across Scotland.
The pressure on children and parents from the media is crushing. It is having a damaging effect on our young people’s health not just physically but mentally too.
Obesity levels in Scotland are on the rise. Last year 3,500 primary one children weighed enough to raise concern.
That is why we will restrict the marketing of junk food to children and restrict advertising before the 9pm watershed, taking the bite out of family meal times.
Our plans to invest £800m in Scotland’s NHS mean that where young people do suffer from mental ill health, whether that be an eating disorder or anxiety, they will be seen quickly and locally. We want mental health specialists in every A&E department across Scotland to ensure that young people and their families can get the help at the time they need it.
And for those family members who take on caring responsibilities we will introduce a Carer’s Bonus worth £250 each year.
The plans set out by other parties have been found wanting – whether it’s the Tories on childcare or the SNP’s indefensible record on mental health.
It is clear that only the Liberal Democrats have a clear vision and a costed plan to support families across Scotland. These are proposals which will build a fairer society.
Later today, you will be able to read the whole families manifesto here.
* 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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2 Comments
Great photo!
“….Obesity levels in Scotland are on the rise. Last year 3,500 primary one children weighed enough to raise concern.
That is why we will restrict the marketing of junk food to children and restrict advertising before the 9pm watershed, taking the bite out of family meal times.”
This is a modest move in the right direction. There is an implicit recognition that obesity is not a so-called lifestyle choice but actually has something to do with unregulated large corporations and their marketing. There is the preparedness to use the power of the state to regulate large corporations who profit from ill-health, addiction and immoral marketing practices.
Well done, Willie !
PS – Willie, you can now expect a bucket load of criticism from the free-market extremists, which you should regard as a badge of honour!