Moore warns against joining SNP

SCOTTISH Secretary Michael Moore yesterday pleaded with Lib Dems not to defect to the SNP as he attempted to rally the grassroots at the first Scottish party conference since May’s disastrous election.

Moore attacked Alex Salmond’s party for trying to win over Lib Dems, warning them not to be deceived by the SNP’s attempts to move onto their territory.

Moore said the SNP had spent time and effort “stealing” the Lib Dems’ “clothes”.

“Now they make regular and direct appeals to Liberal Democrat voters in speeches, pamphlets and full-page newspaper advertisements. And let’s be honest: one or two have made that journey,” Moore said.

Moore said there was a “big health warning” for those tempted to go to the SNP, saying liberalism was based on inclusion and nationalism was based on separation. The Liberals, he said, encouraged debate while the SNP “shuts down its questioners”.

Earlier, the UK party president Tim Farron apologised for the Lib Dems’ dismal election. He said: “We have to let these defeats sink in, accept the full brutal reality, allow them to hurt and those of us from Westminster need to apologise – to you.”