Scottish Tories in bid to woo Lib Dems

Ruth Davidson is attempting to woo Liberal Democrats to join the Scottish Conservatives. Picture: Scott Louden

Ms Davidson made a direct pitch to Liberal Democrat supporters, who she said may be concerned about the prospect of the party making a post-election pact with Labour and the SNP - a move Business Secretary Vince cable has suggested would be possible.

The Conservative leader made the claim during a campaign visit to the constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

Ms Davidson said: “The Scottish Conservatives offer a home for thousands of centre-ground moderate voters who want to see a better, fairer country as part of the UK.

“The Liberal Democrats are now polling below 5 per cent in Scotland and I know many of the people who voted Liberal Democrats in the past and are now wondering how to cast their ballot. I want to show people during this campaign that we can offer them a new home.

“Despite all the difficulties, our two parties have found common ground over the last five years. To people who may have voted Liberal Democrat in the past,

“I hope they’ll now look to see who can best take forward that agenda of a more open, more prosperous Britain.

“Vince Cable has suggested that the Liberal Democrats could even put the SNP in power as part of a chaotic coalition with Labour. That’s not our plan. We’ll use our strength across Britain to keep the UK together and create a more prosperous and a fairer society.”