Scots voters threaten Holyrood backlash after Lib Dems back Tories
May 16 2010 Mark Aitken, Sunday Mail
DAVID STEEL yesterday admitted the Liberal Democrats fear a huge loss of support after the party agreed to back the Tories to form a government.
The Lib Dem elder statesman admitted there was a “nervousness” among supporters about the impact of the coalition deal.
He spoke out as Labour claimed 12,000 members have joined the party in the days since the election as disillusioned Lib Dem voters desert them.
Lord Steel, who led the Liberals for more than a decade and was the first presiding officer of the Scottish parliament, said: “They share my anxieties about collaboration with the Tories.
“I have been fighting the Tories ever since my by-election in 1965, so naturally it is a bit uncomfortable to make this change.
“But it has to be done in the national interest. We now have to show the clear influence we are having on the processes of government.
“I’m not saying it will be easy. I think it is going to be tough but we will face up to it and we have a year to go before the Scottish elections.”
He spoke out as experts warn the Lib Dems face a massive backlash from voters, with polling experts estimating they could lose a quarter of their seats in the Holyrood election next year.
Supporters sickened by the sight of David Cameron and Nick Clegg cosying up to each other in Number 10 are quitting the party and senior figures admit they face tough times ahead.
Labour will today write to 100,000 Lib Dem voters in target seats urging them to change their vote at the Scottish parliament election.
The Lib Dems meet at a special conference in Birmingham today to endorse the coalition.
Leader Nick Clegg, who rejected a deal with Gordon Brown in favour of one with Cameron, has already secured the support of the party’s MPs and federal executive.
The coalition is also expected to be approved by the conference but it could have a devastating impact on the party’s fortunes in Scotland, where the Tories are loathed and have just one MP.
Polling expert John Curtice believes the Lib Dems could lose a quarter of their seats at the Holyrood election. The party, led by Tavish Scott, could see their MSPs drop from 16 to 12.
Casualties could include finance spokesman Jeremy Purvis, who won Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale in 2007 with a majority of 598.
Jim Tolson, deputy transport and local government spokesman, could also see his majority of 476 in Dunfermline West wiped out.
Andrew Arbuckle, a Lib Dem councillor for more than 20 years and a former MSP, said: “I can accept people having difficulty with the coalition. If you spend your life opposing a party, it is difficult to link up with them. But it is for the greater good.
“I wasn’t an immediate convert to it but we have an opportunity to make a change and break the mould in politics.
“There is a tremendous weight on those MPs in the Cabinet to make sure it works.
“I’m sure the electorate is mature enough to realise we couldn’t continue in the state we have been in.”
But Scottish science-fiction writer Michael Cobley has written on his blog: “As an LD party member, I feel as if I’m witnessing the ritual killing of my own party’s principles, live on TV, stage by stage, as they’re fed bit by bit into the maw of the Tory machine.
“Next up, elections to the Scottish parliament in 2011, in which we see the Liberal Democrat vote collapse.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray will attempt to win over 100,000 people in Scotland who voted Lib Dem at the last election.
Letters will be sent to people who were canvassed at the last Holyrood election and said they intended to vote Lib Dem. The letters will be targeted in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Fife and the Highlands.
Gray writes in the letter: “Since David Cameron walked into 10 Downing Street, hundreds of people who voted for the Liberal Democrats have contacted Scottish Labour to tell us how upset they are.
“In Scotland, many people voted Lib Dem because they wanted to be part of a forward-looking, progressive movement. The last thing they thought was that Nick Clegg would prop up a Tory government.
“People feel angry, betrayed and, in some cases, bewildered.
“I can understand that. As a minister in a previous Scottish government, I worked with Liberal Democrat coalition colleagues and found it a rewarding experience.
“But now they have thrown their lot in with David Cameron. The coalition is bringing forward Tory plans, which will hit families and threaten the economic recovery.”
Dan still man in Aviemore?
New Scottish Secretary Danny Alexander was one of the Lib Dem negotiators who sealed the deal with David Cameron’s Tories. Here, we speak to voters in Aviemore, in the heart of his Highland constituency, to find out if they back the coalition.
Sandra Taylor, 66, retired
I am not so sure about the coalition. I would like to think it would work but I have my misgivings. We’ll have to wait and see. Danny Alexander is good for this area. I know he wanted the post of Scottish Secretary abolished and now he’s got that job but I suppose under the circumstances it is understandable.
Michael Stephenson, 27, shop manager
It is true to say that the Liberal Democrats – who I voted for – and the Tories are strange bedfellows.
There will be scepticism but they have got to prove that this can work. Danny Alexander, I’m quite sure, will do a really good job as Scottish Secretary.
Jo Caird, 29, cafe worker
I voted Lib Dem but I would not have done so if I had known there was going to be a coalition with the Tories. Now it’s been done I suppose they will just have to get on with it and try to make the best of it.
Danny Alexander should do well as Scottish Secretary. He is a hard working Member of Parliament.
George Scott, 52, butcher
I am not sure I would have voted Lib Dem if I had known they would make a pact with the Tories. We will have to wait and see how it will work out. I voted for Danny Alexander because he was the only one who sent out a personal letter. He will make a good Scottish Secretary and will fight Scotland’s corner in the coalition.
Rhona McClure, hotel receptionist
I voted for Danny Alexander. Both the Lib Dems and the Tories will have to work hard to make this coalition work. Let’s hope, for the good of the country, they can do it. Our MP is a lovely man. He has no airs and graces. I’m sure he will make a good Scottish Secretary.
Will voters bite back in ballot?
John Curtice is Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University
When Nick Clegg shook David Cameron’s hand in Downing Street last week, his Holyrood colleagues must have been wondering what the coalition deal would mean for them. Liberal Democrat MSPs will have t o face the v oters in just 12 months time.
They will have to explain why their party allowed back into power a Tory party that, yet again, was decisively rejected by the voters of Scotland.
They must be fearful voters will vent their anger and disappointment in the Holyrood ballot boxes. Fortunately for them, many Liberal Democrat MSP have what appear to be relatively safe seats – though next year’s election will be fought on new constituency boundaries, so every MSP’s prospects will be more uncertain.
Three Liberal Democrat MSPs have quite marginal seats – Mike Pringle in Edinburgh South, Jeremy Purvis in Tweeddale, and Jim Tolson in Dunfermline West. Overall, the party could conceivably lose four seats – leaving it with a rump of just 12. But there might be one reason why this will not happen. The party did so badly in 2007, it only secured 11 per cent of the list vote. So perhaps the Liberal Democrats just simply cannot fall much further – which is probably just as well.
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