Borders Conference (Jim Hume)

Borders Conference

November 7, 2009 6:30 PM

Friends, thank you all for coming to this important conference.

Today will have an opportunity to hear from our excellent Westminster candidates ahead of the much anticipated general election. We'll hear from Catriona Bhatia---our own iron lady ( or should I say steel ) fighting the DCT seat, Ross Laird --- ready to hit Labour heartland where it hurts - 2005 huge swing to Libdems where we came second,- and if theres a man to nail Midlothian it is ~Ross Laird-and our own Michael Moore- well placed to send the Lamentable Lamont, the invisible man of Holyrood- back home to think again-

Following all that we'll have a discussion on policy and campaign issues. And I look forward to an address by Andrew Reeves--- which will be followed by discussion and questions in the afternoon. Jeremy Purvis will chair the proceedings, but I'd like to say a few words before we kick off. And I will try not to use this opportunity to talk about the great success we had stopping the SNP selling off our forestry to Rothschild bank, resulting in their then minister to lose his position.

I think it's fair to say that we've rarely seen such massively turbulent economic times than in recent years. The UK remains in recession whilst other countries are managing slowly to dig themselves out. Politically things aren't much better. With Labour in freefall, Gordon Brown's popularity is as low as the Bank of England interest rates. Labour have lost their way. Gordon Brown is floundering, hanging on to the notion that empty rhetoric on dealing with the Westminster expenses scandal will be enough to win the public vote. But the public aren't stupid and nor are they blinkered to the years of complacency offered by this out of touch, ailing government.

And there is no antidote in the form of the Tory. David Cameron with his almost "Tory light" spin of green ethics and attempts to appeal to a wider demographic, do not fool voters. If the Tories have their way, then cuts in public spending are inevitable. Not what is needed in such economically dire times.

And the Greens, where unfortunately too many Liberal Democratic votes are wasted - the two MSPs that are left at Holyrood can't even agree who should Convene their "party", and again on Saturday evening Vote were split on the Fisheries debate.

So where does this leave Liberal Democrats? Frankly, it leaves us with bucketfuls more legitimacy than the other two main parties; it leaves us with integrity and it leaves us with policies that are sound; policies that are borne of a genuine will to create fairness in every aspect of our lives; and honest policies which distinguish us from Labour and the Tories.

So, I believe that we have an opportunity at the next general election. People have lost faith in politics. They have lost faith in the democratic process. But we stand to show them that there is an honest party which will tackle difficult issues head on and not get involved in the petty party political squabbling which we've seen for years with Labour and the Conservatives. And in our Westminster candidates we have people who are working hard to spread that message.

So today is a reminder that the campaign is gearing up; that the next general election is an opportunity; that we need to do all we can to make people see that not all politicians are the same; that Liberal Democrats do still have at the heart of their beliefs fairness, honesty and accountability.

I shall wind up now to let things get underway, but in closing I would like to say a very personal thanks to all of the help Jeremy Michael and Myself, have received over the last years. You've all braved the weather for Super Saturdays, you've given up your own personal time to run stands, put up tents, sell raffle tickets (should I go on?) and you've contributed to party funds from your own pockets. It's true that it's the individuals who make the party what it is and I'm proud when I look around this room today.

I'll now hand you over to the safe hands of Jeremy, enjoy the Conference.

A liberal voice for the South of Scotland