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Scottish Lib Dems: Scott to address Scottish Police Federation conference

Scott to address Scottish Police Federation conference

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott will address the Scottish Police Federation’s annual conference in Aviemore on Tuesday.

In his speech to police officers, he will set out why Liberal Democrats oppose the end of local policing in Scotland.

In his speech, Mr Scott will say:

“The shape of Scotland’s police forces affects their accountability, their capacity and their performance.

“This is an issue of direct concern to every police officer in Scotland and every citizen who might ever rely on the great service that you provide.

“So, as politicians, we owe it to you and to the country to be crystal clear where we stand on this.

“The Scottish Liberal Democrats oppose the creation of a single Scottish police force.

“The SNP, Labour and the Conservatives take a different view.

“They argue not about whether to cut the number of our forces, but about who had the idea first.

“But this idea is a rum deal for Scotland.

“Our country is a diverse place with diverse needs.

“We need police forces that understand the communities they serve – Lerwick is not the same as Glasgow. Stornoway is not the same as Aberdeen. Dumfries is not the same as Edinburgh.

“These areas have local needs and patterns of crime that are unique to them.

“Let me tell you, if you live in an island community like Shetland, the Northern Constabulary feels distant enough.

“So we say no to a centralised one-size-fits-all national police force that serves politicians’ will rather than people’s needs.

“Because that’s what we’re talking about here.

“One single chief constable wouldn’t be out in the country, helping communities.

“They would be in Edinburgh, standing on the other side of the First Minister’s desk, and taking their orders from the top down.

“So we say no to one chief constable answerable to one First Minister – We say “no” to the direct injection of politics into policing.”

These are the principles that I share as a Lib Dem. These are not policies. Policies change, principles do not.

The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which noone shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity. We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience and their right to develop their talents to the full. We aim to disperse power, to foster diversity and to nurture creativity. We believe that the role of the state is to enable all citizens to attain these ideals, to contribute fully to their communities and to take part in the decisions which affect their lives.