Lib Dem leader attacks independence as a barrier to the opportunities UK offers Scots

SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie will today make the case for the country staying part of the UK, as he attacks the SNP government for wanting to “put up a barrier”.

He will instead argue for powers to be devolved to Scotland under home rule.

Mr Rennie is to speak out on the issue when he addresses his party’s autumn conference in Dunfermline, his first since becoming leader in May. He is also expected to argue that being part of the UK allows “every Scot to spread their wings”.

Mr Rennie will say: “Individual Scots have more opportunities to achieve all they can – in work, education and quality of life – because of the UK.

“We will need to make that argument in the next few years: the very human, very individual benefit of the United Kingdom. For all the opportunities there are for Scots across Britain, we still have a government in Scotland that wants to put up a barrier.”

He will also use his speech to “invite Scots to look at home rule and support our intention to win it for Scotland”.

The conference takes place in the wake of the heavy defeat the Lib Dems suffered in this year’s Holyrood elections, when the party saw just five MSPs returned to the Scottish Parliament, down from 16.

But Mr Rennie said last week that “reports of the demise of the Liberal Democrats as a strong force in Scottish politics have been greatly exaggerated”.

Both Scottish Secretary Michael Moore and party president Tim Farron MP are due to speak at the one-day event.

The issue of home rule will be debated by delegates, as will minimum pricing for alcohol, for which Mr Rennie has previously revealed his support.

He said: “We have listened to the message voters gave us in May and revisited policies like minimum alcohol pricing, which I believe must form part of our long-term strategy to overcome Scotland’s addiction to alcohol.”