Cole-Hamilton responds to FM interview

Responding to the First Minister’s interview with PA this afternoon in which he claimed to be confident of winning a general election and using this to initiate another referendum on breaking up the UK, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“I think most Scots understand that even a decade on from the independence referendum, the SNP haven’t got a clue what to do about currency, pensions or borders. They’re as lax and haphazard as the Brexiteers.

“At least Humza Yousaf is being honest with the public when he spells out that any leverage he has will be focused towards breaking up the UK, rather than on improving public services.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats will approach the next election making clear that our priorities will be the cost-of-living crisis, a windfall tax on big oil and gas companies and standing up for the services that people rely on. It’s time for a change and I am determined that my party will be part of what’s next.”

On the First Minister’s insistence that it is up to SNP party members whether Patrick Grady stands for re-election, he added:

"I'm baffled by Humza Yousaf's apparent willingness to double down on Ian Blackford and Nicola Sturgeon's errors. It's pretty obvious Patrick Grady should not be an MP and that the people of Glasgow North deserve better."