Lib Dems Can Still Temper Tories

Fife MSP Willie Rennie says Liberal Democrat peers in the House of Lords will still be able to stop the Conservatives from "doing their worst."

The leader of the Scottish Lib Dems says his party can still mitigate the worst of Tory cuts, despite not being in coalition government anymore.

Fife MSP Willie Rennie will meet with Liberal Democrat peers today, who will be able to influence the passage of Bills through Parliament.

It's after the party saw the number of MPs it has cut dramatically in the general election.

He says: “The Conservatives set out their stall early after the election and the Chancellor has made clear that we can expect the Budget to be blue in tooth and claw.

“In government, Liberal Democrats stopped the Tories from doing their worst. With a Conservative majority in the House of Commons, a strong liberal bloc in the House of Lords will be crucial if we are to protect Scotland from a damaging lurch to the right.

“As the Government has no majority in the second chamber our power is considerable.  Our strong team of peers will be a powerful voice standing up for human rights, for civil liberties and green energy.

“This does not mean that Liberal Democrats do not want to see the Lords reformed – of course we do.  But as long as we have the chance to stop the Tories then we will take it."