There will be no Remain Alliance in Scotland
A Liberal Democrat MP has said the party would not stand aside to help the SNP in a ‘Remain Alliance’.
On Radio 5Live, Scottish Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael was asked if his party would step aside for SNP candidates in a Remain alliance.
He replied: “No we wouldn’t and for one very simple reason: the SNP are one side of another fundamental nationalist argument which is about Scottish independence. So no, we wouldn’t be able to work with them.”
These comments were criticised by the SNP. Neil Gray MP said that the Lib Dems had refused to rule out a deal with the Tories but would not work with the SNP.
“It seems the LibDems are happy to jump back into bed with the extreme right Tory party but not work with us to ensure that the livelihoods of citizens across the UK are not destroyed by a disastrous Brexit,” Gray said.
Left Foot Forward asked a Liberal Democrat spokesperson if Carmichael’s comments reflected the Liberal Democrat official position but did not receive a response.
Both Carmichael and the Lib Dems’ new leader Jo Swinson are Scottish MPs with a history of animosity with the SNP – the closest competitor in both their seats.
During the 2015 election campaign, Carmichael leaked a memo which falsely claimed that SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon preferred David Cameron to Ed Milliband.
After Jo Swinson beat the SNP in the 2017 East Dunbartonshire election, the SNP questioned whether Swinson’s campaign had breached spending limits.
Swinson has also been criticised for ruling out working with Corbyn’s Labour, even in the event of a hung parliament.
She has however refused to rule out working with the Conservatives in the event of a hung parliament – as she did between 2010 and 2015.
“I have not said never in any future scenario, where things are different,” she said about a deal with the Tories last month.
Update: The words “reportedly” and “according to the Herald” were removed from this article after we verified that Carmichael had made these comments.
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
8 Responses to “Lib Dem MP rules out working with SNP in Remain Alliance”
steve
Swinson ruling out working with Labour. LibDems ruling out an alliance with the SNP.
There’s only one significant option left: a LIbDem alliance with their old friends, the Cameron wing the Tory party.
They certainly deserve each other.
Tom Sacold
No one wants to join with the nasty fascistic nationalists.
Boffy
“No one wants to join with the nasty fascistic nationalists.”
I don’t know. The Communist Party seem happy to align themselves with the Faragists, the ex RCP/Living Marxism libertarians have joined the Faragists, Bojo doesn’t rule out some deal with the Faragists, Counterfire backs the Faragists, and you have backed their agenda here on many occasions.
David T
Tom Sacold: “No one wants to join with the nasty fascistic nationalists.”
Clearly you have no understanding whatsoever of the nature of Scottish nationalism.
Patrick Newman
Ruling out is not in the Lib Dem lexicon. Swinson could easily be tempted to support a Johnson government and become a minister again with all those lovely privileges and cars. If you are someone with a stunted intellect you are easily flattered into compliance and cooperation!