Election 2010: Lib Dems offer 'fair future' - Sir Menzies Campbell

Published on Monday 19 April 2010 15:37

FORMER Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell today turned on both Labour and the Tories as he said it was his party that offered voters a "fair future".

Sir Menzies hit the campaign trail after opinion polls showed a huge surge in support for his party, with one UK-wide survey at the weekend putting the Liberal Democrats ahead of both Labour and the Conservatives.

The former Olympic sprinter teamed up with Catriona Bhatia, the daughter of former Liberal leader David Steel, on a visit to Peebles.

Ms Bhatia, the Lib Dem candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, is aiming to defeat Tory David Mundell – who was the sole Scottish Conservative MP in the last Parliament.

Sir Menzies also visited an industrial estate in Kelso with Michael Moore, who is fighting the Roxburgh, Berwickshire and Selkirk constituency.

There, the former Lib Dem leader claimed the Borders area had been "neglected by Labour and threatened by the Tories".

But Sir Menzies said: "Liberal Democrats offer a different future for communities like this.

"We will get the banks lending, the economy moving and local businesses hiring.

"And our plans for fair taxes, investment in training and thousands of new green jobs offer a fair future for people here and throughout Scotland."

He continued: "When people go to the polls in the Borders on May 6 they have a clear choice. New jobs with the Liberal Democrats or a double dip recession with the Conservatives.

"Only the Liberal Democrats can give the Borders – and all of Scotland – the fresh and fair start we need."