Conservative voters are being called on to switch to the Scottish Lib Dems instead of backing a party “moving backwards and lurching to extremes”.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has made a direct pitch to disenchanted Tories north of the border with a letter sent to those who have been identified as having cast their ballot for new leader Russell Findlay’s party.
Mr Cole-Hamilton appealed to people who felt “politically homeless” and who wanted to vote for a “caring, sensible” party, putting the Lib Dems forward as the candidate.
The Scottish Conservatives have reacted with anger at the suggestion, saying that Mr Cole-Hamilton was the “poster boy for the cosy left-wing consensus” at Holyrood which “prioritises fringe obsessions”.
In his letter, the Lib Dem leader said: “Many people are now feeling disenchanted with politics, like they are politically homeless.
“Over the past days, I’ve spoken to many people who had previously voted for the Scottish Conservatives; they now feel that the party has moved so far away from that which was once led by Ruth Davidson.
“People want a politics that reflects our country: caring, sensible, sees the benefit in working together with our neighbours.”
The letter continues: “That inclusive approach is now completely absent from the Conservative Party today. Now, all that’s left is a party in decline.
“A party now led in Scotland by someone who cheered on Liz Truss’ economic chaos. A party that is moving backwards and lurching to extremes.
“We won more seats than the Scottish Conservatives at the last election and showed we can beat the SNP in huge swathes of Scotland.”
Mr Cole-Hamilton said that his party is aiming to take down the “acid yellow wall” of the SNP at the next Holyrood election in 2026.
He added: “By backing the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you can guarantee hard working local champions who will put your priorities first.
“I love our country and want to see the best for it, that’s why I know we need to get the SNP out of power.
“The Scottish Liberal Democrats are ready to do just that.”
READ MORE:
- Rachael Hamilton is new deputy leader of Scottish Tories
- Russell Findlay announced as leader of Scottish Tories
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However, polling expert Sir John Curtice said that the Lid Dems had been "relatively unsuccessful" in capitalising on Tory electoral woes.
He said: "In Scotland just 6% switched to Mr Cole-Hamilton's party, well below the 29% who switched to Labour and the 17% who backed Reform.
"Meanwhile, less than one in ten of those who stuck with the Conservatives in July say they like the Liberal Democrats while as many a half say they dislike them.
"Bearing in mind also that the Liberal Democrats came second to the SNP in just one seat at the last Holyrood election, it seems unlikely that many Tory voters will switch to the party in 2026, even if they are keen to see the back of the SNP-lead Scottish Government."
A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “The Lib Dems lined up with the SNP and Labour to support radical gender reforms that were completely at odds with the values of mainstream Scotland.
“Alex Cole-Hamilton then thoroughly embarrassed himself personally during the scandal where the double rapist Isla Bryson was sent to a women's prison, which demonstrated how detached from the real world the Scottish Parliament has become.
“Under Russell Findlay’s leadership the Scottish Conservatives will be different. He gets why people have lost trust in politics and we will stand up for everyone who just wants their politicians to show some common sense, for a change.”
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