Scottish Lib Dems viable Government-in-waiting

1.29.10pm GMT Tue 7th Nov 2006

The Lib Dems have dismissed talks being held between opposition parties and senior Scottish civil servants interpreted as preparation for government by pointing out that their party retains major electoral momentum going into next years election.

Euan Robson, convener of the Scottish Lib Dems, pointed to recent electoral successes in both Westminster and local government elections north of the Border as proof that the Lib Dems are a viable government-in-waiting.

"Traditionally, meetings such as those held today are an opportunity for the opposition parties to persuade people that they could form a competent administration. However, the Tories are so far off the mark as to be irrelevant whilst the SNP under Salmond are struggling to get their sums to add up. From the Dunfermline by-election to key local government by-elections, all the evidence this year points to the Liberal Democrats being the only party in Scotland with real momentum. Nicol Stephen can be the next First Minister and he has the advantage of combining a dynamic vision for Scotland with first hand experience of government.

"I am confident that despite the posturing of the other parties when it comes to the election next May the Scottish Liberal Democrats will be able to repeat our spectacular success in Dunfermline across the country," he said.