Lib Dems welcome fifth MSP

The Liberal Democrats have gained a fifth Member of the Scottish Parliament.

Jamie Greene, who was first elected in 2016 as a Conservative MSP, has crossed to the Lib Dems and joined our Scottish Party Conference in Inverness today.

Speaking alongside our leader in the Scottish Parliament Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP Jamie said, "It really feels like a breath of fresh air to be here in this room with you now.

"In the last 48 hours I've gone from being politically homeless like many Scots right now, to joining you here now in my new home.

"In these dangerous times that we live in, let me be direct.

"The language of hatred, of right-wing populism, and of scapegoating people must be fought against and must be defeated.

"I trust the goodness of Scottish people and I trust them to take on that fight in the tolerant, liberal society that I think Scotland really is."

Alex Cole-Hamilton said of Jamie leaving the Conservatives, "It illustrates how so many people who backed Ruth Davidson’s Conservatives are completely scunnered at what the party has turned into, lurching to extremes to fend off Reform and completely giving up on the centre ground.

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats overtook the Scottish Conservatives at the General Election. In huge swathes of Scotland, more and more voters are backing us because we’re best placed to beat the SNP.

“Only we have a plan to bring down NHS waiting lists, get a fair deal for carers, help struggling pensioners, lift up Scottish education and grow our economy.”