Liberal Democrats are challengers at General Election

5.22.48pm GMT Fri 26th Feb 2010

Tavish ScottScottish Liberal Democrats will gather in Perth for the party’s Spring Conference next week.

Delegates will hear federal leader Nick Clegg’s response to Gordon Brown’s evidence that day at the Chilcot Inquiry and how the Liberal Democrats will make Scotland fairer.

Tavish Scott will outline how unemployment should be tackled and how education needs to be protected.

Liberal Democrats party policy is set by members. This year, delegates will hear from Danny Alexander, charged with producing the manifesto for the UK General Election and will debate policy motions on education, green energy, fair taxes and how to reverse the SNP’s centralisation.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP said:

"Liberal Democrats gather in Perth as the challengers to Labour in the coming general election.

"We’re starting this Westminster election in second place to Labour. Our poll ratings have improved in the last year and we start the campaign at a higher level in the polls than we did in 2005. But there’s a difference. We have more resources going into target seats that make a difference. We have Labour in our sights in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"We are the party bringing the big ideas to the election. Voters won’t be fooled by Labour’s election slogan. We are the only party fighting for a fairer society, with the biggest tax change in generation and a fair start for every child."