Responding to new figures which found that the negative impacts of shielding were more common among socio-economically vulnerable respondents, with 48% reporting they were coping okay with shielding (vs 71% for all respondents) and 88% reporting a negative impact on their mental health (vs 72 % for all respondents), Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

Sign our petition to call for a passenger rail line to be established between Alloa and Dunfermline, with a stop at Clackmannan.

Covid-19 is likely to have a devastating impact on our Scottish economy and jobs. Therefore it is essential that our Clacks Council and the Scottish Governments start to work collectively, having a real focus on prioritising schemes that can make a real difference to peoples lives. It is urgent that a commitment is made and work undertaken without further dither and delay to establishing passenger services on the rail line between Alloa to Dunfermline, enabling services onwards to Edinburgh.

Conference is upon us.

On Saturday, 19 September the Federal Conference Committee met to review the amendments, late motions, emergency motions, topical issues, questions to reports and appeals for next weekend's Autumn Conference.

As you will be aware, this is the first time that are holding our Conference completely online. The Federal Conference Committee would like to thank the Conference and wider HQ team for all of the hard work in bringing our Conference online. Throughout a really difficult period we have all worked together to offer a fully online Conference. You can see the introduction video from Geoff Payne, FCC Chair, and Hannah, from HQ, here The video will show you all the features of the online conference, including the auditorium, visiting, fringe sessions, training, the exhibition and the chat functionality.

Responding to the Scottish Government's proposal for overhauling the controversial Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP commented:

"Scottish Liberal Democrats are ready to get behind legislation that would be forceful in confronting hate crime. But the 'stirring up' offences put forward by the Scottish Government led to serious, widespread and legitimate concerns about their impact on freedom of expression.

As previewed, the September meeting of the party's Steering Group concentrated on how we can maximise our chances of success in the May elections. Our grassroots campaigners are on the frontline for that, but what we do centrally can help (or hinder!) their chances.

So as well as agreeing on priorities for next year's budget, we're also ensuring that ahead of that, our financial figures are given a really thorough shakedown to identify if any extra funds can be squeezed out for helping the elections in time to make a real difference.

Responding the new restrictions set out by the First Minister, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

"This announcement signals the start of a long and taxing winter for many people across Scotland.

"The First Minister was aiming to eliminate the virus but now the entire nation is back under intense restrictions.

As previewed, the September meeting of the party's Steering Group concentrated on how we can maximise our chances of success in the May elections. Our grassroots campaigners are on the frontline for that, but what we do centrally can help (or hinder!) their chances.

So as well as agreeing on priorities for next year's budget, we're also ensuring that ahead of that, our financial figures are given a really thorough shakedown to identify if any extra funds can be squeezed out for helping the elections in time to make a real difference.

Commenting on the First Minister's briefing and leaked documents which revealed the range of restrictions the Scottish Government is considering to help reduce covid-19 infection levels, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said:

On May 20th, Boris Johnson declared that the UK would have a 'world-beating' coronavirus test, track and trace system in place by June 1st. Instead, four months later the UK is facing a testing crisis.

The British public are confronting the reality that we may be facing a second wave of coronavirus with a test and trace system that is just inadequate. It is unacceptable.