Conference 2012

Welcome to the special programme with highlights from both the

Scottish Labour and Liberal Democrat Conferences.

Unusually both parties were holding their concernss simultaneously.

Labour gathered in Dundee. The Lib Dems in Inverness. We will have the

big speeches and debate and discussion from both.

APPLAUSE For all their many differences,

there is one big issue that's vital to both Labour and the Liberal

Democrats just now and that, of course, is the union. Both parties

want to keep Scotland well and truly in the United Kingdom.

Fighting the SNP and independence was one big theme at both

conferences. Later on tht programme, -- in the programme, we will be

hearing from the Lib Dems, but we APPLAUSE

We must have a strategy, that's what I want to set out to you today.

To beat both the Tory-led Government in Westminster and the

SNP Government here in Scotland. And it starts above all with

understanding the times we're in and understanding the challenge we

face in relation to our economy. And it starts above all, by

understanding that old-fashioned Tory politics, the same politics

that caused the banking crisis can create that economy that works for

all the working people of Scotland and the United Kingdom and SNP

politics, the politics they are practising in Government or the

separatism that they would like to bring to the United Kingdom that

cannot answer the challenge of creating a economy that works for

all the working people of Scotland and the United Kingdom. Only Labour

can answer that challenge. Only a renewed and reformed Labour Party.

So instead of complaining about what the Tory-led Government is is

doing, Alex Salmond should be taking action to put those young

people back to work and friends... APPLAUSE

My argument is, that the challenges are so great in this time, the

issues are so fundamental, the crisis is so profound, it is got to

be your single overriding priority to tackle those challenges. And

that's the reason for the difference between the SNP and

Labour. Joanne and I came into politics to make Britain fairer.

Alex Salmond came into politics to change Britain's borders. That's

the difference. SNP failure on youth unemployment, didn't happen

by chance, it happened by choice. The SNP's choice to make separatism

the priority and we must put that message across.

APPLAUSE The small business struggling to

get by in Stirling. It shares the same concern as the small business

struggling to get by in Southampton and the pensioner in Dudley trying

to keep warm, shares the same concerns as the pensioner in Dundee.

Friends, we must reject attempts to divide our country by ideology or

geography. We're not left-wing Scotland and right-wing end England,

we are one United Kingdom. Equality, community, justice, the

value that is brought me into this party. The values that brought all

of us into politics. The values that must drive the renewal of

Scottish Labour. The values that will help us win back trust here in

Scotland. Win back trust in the United Kingdom, the values that

will drive us on to victory at the next general election, the values

that will enable us to transform A passionate speech from Ed

Miliband. But if his focus was in transforming the country, must of

the of the rest of the focus in Dundee was in transforming the

The origins of our defeat last May, were deep, not recent and they

demand of each of us an honest and painful reckoning. Too many saw us

as being more anti-nationalist than pro Scottish. Too man saw us as a

party of tribalists. So here in Dundee, our task as a

party is to demonstrate by our words and deeds that we are

motivated by a sense of pride, passion and possibility for

Scotland and her future. We need to change and change radically, not to

disallow our deepest disbeliefs but to become a better expression of

them. We need to change how we we identify and select our campaigns,

how we organise and fund our campaigns. We need to change so

that people across Scotland who share our values, but would not

consider standing as a Labour candidate, will change their mind

and say, "That is where I want to be and who I want to stand with.".

It is a serious point. Local Government candidates in this

election, a lot of them in selection have been through a tough

test about whether they were entitled to stand for Labour. That

test applies to every level. If anybody who has a privilege to be

an elected member to stand. We earn a right to be candidates and we

have to earn the right to stay as Labour elected members.

Highly the leader was signalling a review of the troops, Shadow

Defence Secretary, Jim Murphy had his sights set on his enemy.

It has not been in our character, it has not been in our personality

to be a passive people. We change things. We shape the world. The

great innovations, the great inventions. And the country that

gave the world a television shouldn't be reduced to being a

spectator, watching world events unfold beyond our influence on our

TV screens at home. Now, I know there are other way to

say talk to the Chinese Government, not just at the top table of the

United Nations. I have been in trade missions to China myself and

I know that they like to go on the trade talks as well. But judging by

the decision on the Forth Road Bridge, it seems that the NATs do

the talking and the Chinese do most of the trading.

The Clyde, has built ships for 300 years. Today, thousands of jobs

rely on building those aircraft carriers, that are three times

longer than a football pitch. Imagine the scale of that. Now, if

Scotland was to leave Britain the Clyde would be in a foreign country

from the Royal Navy and while we would still argue our case, the

Royal Navy has never built a carship this a foreign yard --

warship in a foreign yard and the truth is, if the SNP get their way,

they will achieve what the Tories at their worst under Heath and

Thatcher and certainly what the rise of ship building has failed to

do which is sink Scottish ship building. So let us be very clear.

The Labour Party, the trade unions, and Scottish together never allowed

the Tories to sink our ship building and it will be a cold day

in hell before we let the NATs shut the shipyards.

APPLAUSE A passionate performance from an

old stager. Delegates got a confident debut from new deputy

leader. Patriotism is not the voice of the SNP, it is the voice of

Scotland. We all love our country, we just have different views about

what is in the best interests of our country's favour. We favour

partnership and co-operation, working together, fighting together.

I don't want to make our nearest neighbour or biggest business

competitor. I don't want to break up the social union this planet has

seen in 300 years. I love my country, but no one owns patriotism.

Not everyone who loves Scotland is a nationalist.

APPLAUSE It's in Scotland's interests in

terms of security and global standing to be a permanent member

of the United Nations Security Council. Not for prestige, but to

protect the most vulnerable people around the world for tyranny and

oppression. Scotland's influence is greater as a G8 country. Let's

never forget that if the Scottish leader as Prime Minister of the

United Kingdom, that led the world's response to the financial

crisis stopped a recession become a depression.

Joanne Lamont is more a late developer. Delegates embraced her

as an old friend. APPLAUSE

Thank you. I think my children might see that as taking attention

seeking behaviour a bit too far! But thank you, anyway.

Conference, I want to start with a very clear message - it is time for

us to stop apologising for the mistakes of the past and to start

fighting for Scotland. APPLAUSE

I will not talk Scotland down, but I will not be silent while under

Alex Salmond children suffer in poverty and he does nothing about

it. I will not be silent while he does Scotland down, while he uses

the powers of devolution, not to protect Scotland from a Tory

Government, but to amplify every cut they make. It is assert that

had no one is putting forward the positive case for Scotland

remaining in the United Kingdom. That is not true. We do. But it is

not just us, the SNP do it almost every day. They do it when they say

that Scotland needs to keep sterling. They do it when they say

that our crucial energy sector needs the support of UK consumers

investment to grow. They do it when they say our shipyards would need

Royal Navy contracts to stay open. And my question is this - if even

the SNP acknowledge that Scotland needs the UK for a stable currency,

a growing energy market and to keep our defence industries, why would

we contemplate leaving it? APPLAUSE

When the Royal Bank of Scotland goes down, Scotland didn't have to

negotiate with foreign governments. We didn't need to have to endure

years of negotiation as the Greeks are going through. The help was

automatic, given within hours. We didn't have the indignity which

our neighbours had of seeking bail outs from foreign governments. What

happened with RBS bail out Weah was not about Scotland's weakness, it

was about the Union's strength. APPLAUSE

MP. But if you express your patriotism by finding difference

with others, rather than unity of purpose, go with the other guy, not

with me. If you measure the love of your country in yards of tart

tartan, go with the other guy, not with me. If celebrating your

culture and tradition has at its heart a desire to divide, not

appreciate diversity, go with the other guy.

Not with me. But I ask everyone in this party,

everyone in our land to come with me, to celebrate Scottish values

and make them real. In a Scotland which is a land of fairness, of

equality, of solidarity, a Scotland of innovation, invention and

opportunity. We will renew our party to rebuild our land and we

will do it by by being a better Labour, a real Labour, Scottish

Labour. As Labour were meeting in Dundee,

the the Liberal Democrat Conference was underway here in the Highland

capital of Inverness. At the same time as Ed Miliband was addressing

Labour delegates, the Liberal Democrat leader, the Deputy Prime

Minister, Nick Clegg, was rallying his troops here.

Do the Scottish people want to stay within family of the United Kingdom

or break-up the longest and most successful political and social

By hope and that of our party is that the people of Scotland choose

to stay in the United Kingdom -- my hope of. As an Englishman, I

believe our countries are much stronger together than they would

be a part, but Scotland, like other parts of the United Kingdom has

fared better in this global economic crisis than many of our

European neighbours because we are part of one of the world's

strongest economies. That we have all been attracted by the worst of

the recession by the credibility and low interest rates the UK

Government has been able to Secure and maintained that we have been

protected. But the question of Scottish independence, it shouldn't

just be an numbers game. Too much of the debate over independence is

about what divides us, not what unites us. The people of the United

Kingdom have a rich, shared heritage. We share a culture, a

history, and identity. We live side by side in towns and cities across

the British Isles, Scottish, English, Welsh and Northern Irish

people are together every day in office and factories, school

classrooms and playing fields, we have rallied together in hard times.

Our forefathers fought together and died together, just as brave

Scottish, English, of Welsh and Northern Irish servicemen and women

are fighting side by side in for a weight Lamb's right now. For

centuries, we have crossed's each other's borders -- crossed each

other's borders. What Scott doesn't have any English, Welsh or Northern

Irish in their family tree? I believe the bombs that bring us

together are stronger than the forces that would tear us apart --

the bonds. But as we build a new economy from

the rubble of the Auld, Liberal Democrats in the coalition

Government by giving you real, practical help in tough times. That

is why we have cut your taxes, even as we have had to make difficult

decisions to raise money elsewhere. Thanks to Liberal Democrat, by

raising the point at which you start to pay income tax, we put

�200 a year back in your pocket/yet another �130 from last month --

next month. And we want to go further, lifting millions of the

poorest workers out of tax altogether by raising to �10,000

the amount of money you can earn tax-free. Already, we have lifted

72,000 Scottish workers out of paying tax altogether. And 2

million Scottish workers have received a tax cut. Liberal

Democrat tax cuts for the many, not the few.

APPLAUSE. While Nick Clegg spoke of the

detail of managing the economy, Vince Cable but that detail into a

broader perspective. We had in the UK banks which were,

in several cases, having balance sheets bigger than the whole of the

British economy. RBS, for example, had a balance sheet form 0.5 times

the British economy, around 15 times the Scottish economy -- or

0.5 times. So the consequences when things went from were absolutely

events. This is something we need to reflect on in the context of the

independence debate. If you have large global banks, of which the UK

does, you have to make a decision on a regulator and to his old

mucker responsible -- who is ultimately responsible. If you have

a relatively small country taking responsibility, like Iceland did

all Ireland, you can have incalculable damage. So when you

are talking about an independent Government talking about

responsibility for global bags, one has to think about the age immense

responsibility -- banks. You could ask one of your big neighbours to

do that but what this independence then mean? We are going through the

very difficult period economically in the UK and it isn't just an

economic policy question. I think what is essential is that we create

in the UK a sense of fairness, Equity, a reaction against the

enormous inequalities that we have seen. We are the voice within the

coalition which argues for fair taxation, including the taxation of

wealth. I am embarking on a series of reforms to curb some of the

excesses of executive pay. And I think at the heart of it is the

idea of responsible capitalism. Our role in the coalition, one of the

key roles, is ensuring that our values, which are about

responsibility in a capitalist system, are about fairness, that

those values are projected to policy. And I hope you will enable

us to see that through. Thank you. APPLAUSE.

As Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander admitted his job

was not easy. As the person who wrote our

election manifesto and led the negotiating team, you might say I

have a lot to answer for. My message today is simple. Be proud

of what we are achieving in the UK Government. Be proud, because we

are delivering big changes that are making a real difference to the

lives of people in every corner of the United Kingdom. Ignore our

opponents. We have nothing to apologise for and a great record to

shout about. The Budget is in less than three weeks. I am sure you can

keep a secret... But there are strict limits on what I can say. As

Liberal Democrats, Nick Clegg and I could not have been clearer. With

in the tight fiscal discipline that we have set, our priority is to

deliver more income tax cuts to people on low and middle incomes.

It is the goal we said on the last manifesto. At the next election, I

think we should go much further. I see no reason why someone who earns

less than the minimum wage should pay any income tax at all. But back

row limit Deborah crack -- our Liberal Democrat promise will be to

raise the threshold further at the next election. And, of course,

especially at a time in a -- of austerity, we need to make sure

that those with the most pay the most. I have been very clear that

reducing the tax burden on the wealthy would be the wrong priority

for Britain. Instead, this coalition Government is asking the

wealthiest pay more. We have increased capital gains tax. We

have reduced tax relief from pension contributions and

introduced a new bank levy. They are clamping down on tax evasion

and avoidance. We have invested an initial 900 million to scrutinise

the affairs of those under investigation. Whether you are have

wealthy person or a small business, a football club or a bank, up the

message is simple: you must pay the tax you owe and we will make sure

you do, there is no hiding place. APPLAUSE.

Liberal Democrat may be in power at Westminster, but in last May's

Holyrood elections they lost votes and seats. On Saturday, a motion

from the East Lothian local party called for a commission to be said

to have made up of MPs, MSPs and party members to evaluate their

progress and the treatment of the coalition after its first two years

in office. There have been some outcomes that

have caused bewilderment and despite the many members. Among

these are the abandonment of the coalition Government but there

would be no top then re organisation of the NHS. The ending

of security of tenure of security - - council tenants, and the veto at

the EU summit, which inexplicably leaves Scotland's financial-

services industry defended in Brussels only by an empty chair.

Power at any cost, this was the mantra that so many others heard of

so many doorsteps in last May's elections. Former voters and

supporters turned their backs in discussed in their droves at what

they saw as a colossal sell-out in our decision to enter Government

with the Conservatives. Power at any cost. Two years in, we know

something of power but we know a lot more about cost, and frankly,

the price of coalition can be very -- measured out in the careers of

some of the finest politicians I have known. Party champions felt

unexpectedly and unfairly by the national tide, Liberal Alliance,

mentors and friends, silenced by the media portrayal and decisions

taken beyond their control. An amendment asking for the

commission to make quarterly and bake the leaders more accountable

to conference was defeated, so the commission will meet Andy Bond, in

June this year. -- will meet only once.

While the Chief Secretary to the Treasury talked tough on the

economy, his colleague Michael Moore has the job of handling the

conflict over the referendum. The time has come to make a clear

choice. As a federalist party, believing in home rule, we know

where we stand. For change, against separation. The Scottish Government

has no power to hold a referendum. But this matter must be decided at

the ballot box, not in the courtroom, so we are consulting on

how to have a referendum that is legal, fair and decisive. We want

to devolve the power to Holyrood and we are working with the

Scottish Government to achieve that. But our consultation makes clear

the view that there should be one simple yes/no question to get a

result. In January, the SNP said Scots should wait nearly three

years to determine our future. But we don't need 1,000 days to decide

this crucial question. We can get this done in 500 days that follow

the consultations. In 500 days, you can plan the Paul, passed the law

and hold the ballot. -- polling. That is enough time for Scottish

people to hear the arguments, see the evidence and express their view.

In the past few days, some of Scotland's biggest employers have

about to highlight the impact of uncertainty and delay. Every one of

them has made the point that the uncertainty caused by a stalled

referendum will impact on business decisions. This is decisions impact

on employment in Scotland. Delayed today kills jobs tomorrow. -- delay.

So I say to the SNP, quit stalling and let's work together, get the

wheels of emotion and allow the people to decide their future in

500 days. It big employers provided that this

that backing for Michael Moore's argument, Scottish leader Willie

Rennie relied on powerful Giggling on the Gulf course with

Donald Trump, who denies climate change -- golf course. On the bus

with Brian Souter, the man who denies gay people equality in

Scotland, and now he has got Rupert Murdoch on speed dial. Maggie

Thatcher recruited me. Not to the Tories, but to this lot.

The actions of her party and her in the 1980s drove me into politics. I

never, ever thought we would be sharing Government with her

descendants. But I am so relieved that we are. Without us, there

would be no tax cut for those on low and middle incomes, there are

five pound pension rise, no �1 billion a year contract, no

protection for post offices, no rural fuel discount, no Scotland

Bill with powers for the Scottish Parliament, and children would

still be done -- detained at than Whether it is standing up against

the cuts to colleges so that thousands of extra people get the

chance to be all they can be, people agree with us. Whether it is

about local councils but build new houses for rent with recycling and

climate change on the agenda, putting schools first and building

new opportunities for young people to gain skills in jobs, people

agree with us. Constructive when we can be, awkward when we have to be,

on the side of ordinary people, punching above our weight, strong

liberal voices delivering for Scotland.

APPLAUSE. Well, political Editor Brian Taylor

has been at both conferences this weekend and joins me now. Brian, if

I can ask you a couple of questions which are pertinent to both parties.

First of all, let's take a look at the independence referendum, what

have we learned this weekend about how Labour and the Liberal

Democrats would like to see Scotland develop within the Union

and how would you assess the possibility of both parties working

together in some sort of cross the SNP No campaign? I think there will

be a cross-party no campaign. We learned from Alex Salmond that the

Independent roadshow, that long- term campaign, will be launched in

May. By then, I think the other three parties will have to be ready

with a form, at least adjacent form, of a cross-party campaign. Labour

said it was our campaign they would lead to support the Union with

Alastair Darling and Gordon Brown as bit players. That campaign would

then be on loan to the other parties. I think the loan would be

adopted. There would be an advisory team running of the joint party

campaign, expected to be a Labour figure, probably Alistair Darling,

at the head. Equally, you have here from the Liberal Democrats their

idea of stressing their own demands of home rule, as they call it, devo

max others have called it, a federal Britain, and you have the

options canvassed by each of the parties. Each of them will be

canvassing their own options but I am absolutely sure they will come

together in a cross-party campaign. It is 10 months since both parties

suffered what for them were pretty humiliating defeats in the Holyrood

elections. How would you assess their mood ofs now? Both fairly

gloomy, to be honest. With the side of a turnaround. If you look at the

speeches of Johann Lamont and others, they both had exhortations

to their parties to end of whining in the corner and come out fighting,

and I think we saw some of that from both, perhaps more from Labour

and the Liberal Democrats, but equally, they had a determination

to advance their own case, punching above their own weight, which is

fairly slight at Holyrood, so the plunge has to be quite something.

Johann Lamont made the same point, stop apologising for the past and

fight for the future. But will have seen these conferences as waves of