Time For Change - Put Recovery First
- 1. TIME FOR CHANGE I intend to do the job as your MSP to the best of my ability - by listening to you and working hard on your behalf. I hope you will support me and the Scottish Liberal Democrats in our campaign for Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale in the Holyrood 2021 elections. Our area has so much to offer. Maximising that potential takes investment to improve education, employment opportunities and business growth. This is no time for complacency - we deserve a vibrant place to live, work, grow and prosper. The pandemic has highlighted gaps in social provision. I will stand up for better funded healthcare, care homes, mental health and wellbeing services to bring these up to the standards we all deserve. As Scottish Liberal Democrats we put recovery first. Vote for me on the 6th of May, and I’ll work for a more secure and equitable future for you and your families. Put Recovery First Vote AC May It all begins with good representation… Before the rise of nationalism, the Scottish Liberal Democrats delivered a long record of success here. We can do this again. It’s time for a hardworking MSP, not just another party-follower sitting in Holyrood applauding every word of the First Minister. AC May believes it's high- time for a return to clear, rational thinking on issues that really matter locally and nationally. borderslibdems.org.uk AC May for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Daily Business, 2 Dec 2020 The Herald, 25 Mar 2021 Daily Record, 10 Mar 2021 Daily Record, 24 Mar 2021 SNP ministers condemned over BiFab ‘failure’ SNP 'engulfed in sleaze' claim by Tories… Douglas Ross should resign as MP before standing for Scottish Parliament Scottish Government claims Westminster has launched 'systematic attack' on devolution SNP attack Ruth Davidson for 'letting down people of Scotland' SNP hammer blow: Union funding exposes cracks… Daily Express, 31 Mar 2021 Daily Record, 8 Mar 2021
- 2. Let’s Grow Scotland’s Green Economy Emerging from the crisis, as Scottish Liberal Democrats we believe in Scotland working together with the rest of the UK to learn lessons, build a sustainable green economy, and combat climate change. Regional candidate CATRIONA BHATIA says, ‘Many people have been able to work from home during the crisis, and that brings its own challenges. We need to connect our communities better, and invest to grow our Green Economy.’ Emerging from the crisis, as Scottish Liberal Democrats we believe in Scotland working together with the rest of the UK to learn lessons, build a sustainable green economy, and combat climate change. Regional candidate CATRIONA BHATIA says, ‘Many people have been able to work from home during the crisis, and that brings its own challenges. We need to connect our communities better, and invest to grow our Green Economy.’ Europe - What Happens Now? Vaccine ‘Passports’ - No Path To Freedom Brexit was sold on false promises, and now we're seeing the consequences - lower exports, big businesses relocating, small businesses ceasing to trade in the EU, and financial services and investment migrating to the continent. However, Brexit followed a democratic mandate, and that cannot simply be reversed or ignored. What we can now do is build a better relationship with our European partners - seeking opportunities for cooperation, development, trade, rights and liberty. As for the success of the UK vaccine programme - we were always free to pursue our own path - choosing whether to participate in joint programmes regardless of being in, or out, of the EU. Over time, we’ll campaign for a new relationship with Europe. For over a year, we've been complying with restrictions and staying safe. Yet anyone with antibodies - produced following infection - would suddenly have more rights. What message would that send? The old and the vulnerable are rightly getting priority on vaccines, yet the young - far less likely to get ill or die - would remain restricted, unless tested regularly. Is it even practical? £37billion spent on test & trace, relying on self-isolation and it did us little good - would a vaccine passport app be any better? Who would even enforce it? In which age groups? When would it end? At what level of transmission? What about new strains? Vaccine boosters? Instead we need proper test, trace & isolate, providing options and funding for those infected, and not pour of billions of pounds of public money into some other useless, sinister project. Use Both Votes LibDem in 2021 Put Recovery First Say No To IndyRef2 The Scottish Liberal Democrats firmly oppose another referendum The Scottish Liberal Democrats are making a real difference in parliament, winning real change for the people of Scotland. Our focus is on: 1. Improving education More in-class support for children who now need it. Putting teachers back in charge to improve literacy and numeracy. Promoting play-based development in the under-7s. 2. Tackling climate change Investing in renewable energy, like wind and hydrogen fuelling infrastructure. Improving rail networks, connected bus services and active travel alternatives. Improving digital connectivity, to reduce unnecessary travel and congestion. 3. Action on mental health Making qualified mental health support accessible where needed - in schools, workplaces, community centres, hospitals and police stations. 4. Support to create jobs A job guarantee for young people to avoid post-Covid unemployment, and reduce the dislocation of young people from rural areas. Support for high streets to make them once again the economic and social heart of our communities. 5. Giving Scotland an equal say in the UK Bringing the whole of the UK up-to-date, reforming it for a federal future, defending devolution while giving councils and communities a bigger say. Protecting and building a close relationship with our European neighbours - seeking opportunities for cooperation, joint development, and regulatory alignment for trade, rights and liberty. Catriona Bhatia & AC May Our positive plan to put recovery FIRST Email ac_may@borderslibdems.org catriona_bhatia@borderslibdems.org Digital Media borderslibdems.org.uk Twitter @a_c_may Facebook /ACMay4MSTL Post or Phone AC May & Catriona Bhatia Scottish Liberal Democrats 4 Clifton Terrace Edinburgh EH12 5DR 01721 588 599 Regional candidate CATRIONA BHATIA says ‘People across the region have told me they want to see economic recovery not another referendum. Our focus is on development across South Scotland. Our communities need time to heal from the chaos of Brexit and the heartache of Covid. It is beyond belief that the nationalists’ priority is another divisive referendum - this is no way to run a country.’ Constituency candidate AC MAY adds ‘We the Scottish Liberal Democrats stand united against any plans to disintegrate the UK. We’re here, ready and organised to stem the tide of nationalism.’ Printed by Elmbank Print of 8 Elcho Street Brae, Peebles EH45 8HU. Promoted by David McDonald at 26 Broomhill Avenue, Penicuik EH26 9EG on behalf of The Scottish Liberal Democrats, at 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5DR. All images produced in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions. Paper sourced sustainably. This leaflet can be recycled.