Get stuff done
The Scottish Liberal Democrats' leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, has unveiled the party's manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election. The comprehensive document spans 98 pages and contains a wide array of proposals.
The manifesto commits to "get stuff done," stating:
"Budget by budget, bill by bill, case by case, we use our leverage as MSPs to deliver change with fairness at its heart."
The document appears less as a traditional government prospectus and more as a collection of bargaining tools intended for future negotiations.
Recognizing that Alex Cole-Hamilton is unlikely to assume leadership at Bute House, the party is positioning itself as a potential kingmaker in the post-election landscape, where coalition arithmetic and dealmaking will determine governance.
The Liberal Democrats have a history of engaging in budget agreements, including with the SNP, securing victories on local issues that can be showcased to voters in subsequent elections.
This approach parallels the Green Party's manifesto, which also comprises numerous ideas that may not be implemented as a unified agenda but represent achievable policies for future discussions.
Deliver realistic NHS waiting times
The Liberal Democrats describe their health and social care plans as "realistic." While some parties advocate for GP appointments within 48 hours, the Lib Dems propose a target of appointments within five days, with urgent cases seen within 24 hours.
They plan to assign a named doctor to older patients and aim to recruit 900 support staff. However, medical professionals caution that the high demand will require time to alleviate pressure.
The manifesto emphasizes familiar Liberal Democrat themes such as enhancing access to social care to facilitate hospital discharges and reducing mental health service waiting times.
A 10-year workforce plan is proposed to aid recruitment, alongside wage increases for social care staff and initiatives to expand affordable housing.
These proposals entail significant costs. Local councils have expressed concerns that wage increases for social care workers may necessitate cuts in other services, highlighting the challenge of balancing ambitions with financial feasibility.
Change early years education
The Liberal Democrats propose introducing voluntary pilot programs to explore changes in early primary education delivery. Their focus is on play-based learning until age seven, modeled after the Finnish education system.
They argue this approach will support children in acquiring essential learning and social skills before formal schooling begins.
It is important to note that Finland has experienced a decline in its position within the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings.
The manifesto dedicates nearly a full page to strategies addressing teacher workforce shortages and recruitment challenges. Policies include three-year support packages for probationer teachers in shortage subjects and opportunities for those on short-term or zero-hour contracts to qualify in additional subjects or transition between primary and secondary education.
Consistent with other major parties, the Lib Dems also pledge to ban mobile phones in classrooms.
Bring in another layer of local government
The Liberal Democrats suggest the potential establishment of a new tier of local government, offering communities the option to create island or burgh councils.
These councils would be formed by a charter defining their functions. Historically, many Scottish towns had burgh councils abolished during local government reforms in the 1970s. Some towns continue to identify as "royal burghs" as a point of civic pride.
However, the specifics remain unclear. Questions arise regarding the powers these councils would hold, their relationship to Holyrood and existing local authorities, and whether they would possess meaningful authority over taxation, spending, and local services or function merely as enhanced community councils with limited power.
In towns with strong local identity, particularly former burghs, older residents may recall the loss of local political autonomy decades ago.
The proposal raises the issue of whether burgh and island councils would empower communities or simply add administrative layers and bureaucracy.
Drive down fossil fuel consumption
The Liberal Democrats adopt a nuanced stance on the future energy mix amid high energy costs and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
They do not explicitly state their position on new North Sea exploration licenses, which the UK Labour government has banned. Instead, the focus is on reducing fossil fuel consumption to decrease national oil and gas dependence.
This strategy involves an extensive list of costly initiatives to be implemented rapidly, which may pose financing challenges.
Proposals include an emergency insulation program to improve home energy efficiency, accelerated deployment of domestic heat pumps, and increased investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure to support the transition away from petrol and diesel cars.
The manifesto acknowledges that climate change is causing more severe wildfires, droughts, and floods, emphasizing the significant costs of ignoring these impacts.
However, the breadth of commitments raises questions about the feasibility and credibility of delivering all proposed measures simultaneously.
Shake up arts funding
Similar to other parties, the Liberal Democrats target Creative Scotland, the national arts agency, advocating for a funding overhaul based on the latest review findings.
They aim to broaden funding distribution beyond major cities, an admirable goal that faces challenges given that most cultural organizations are city-based and often struggle to extend their reach.
Among city-focused projects, they support the development of Dundee's Eden Project.
The manifesto also emphasizes support for the games industry, proposing the establishment of a Games Innovation Centre and a network of regional hubs to foster sector growth through advice, networking, and affordable office space.
Public broadcasters receive backing, including a call for a permanent BBC charter ratified by the four nations.
Make it easier for disabled people to work
The Scottish Liberal Democrats express a commitment to facilitating employment opportunities for disabled individuals.
A key policy highlighted is support for the right to work from home, aligning with the UK party's stance.
This approach could provide genuine flexibility and opportunities for disabled workers but may also discourage employers from investing in workplace adaptations.
Implementing such changes at Holyrood would be complex, as much disability legislation is reserved to Westminster. Transferring powers like Access to Work would be a lengthy process due to the intricacies of devolving responsibilities.
Crucially, the party emphasizes choice, recognizing that workplace participation encompasses social interaction, a point long advocated by disability charities.
Extra money for carers
The Scottish Liberal Democrats position themselves as the "party of care" in this election, proposing an additional £400 annually for unpaid carers.
This support extends to individuals caring for spouses, neighbours, or parents affected by illness, disability, or addiction.
Considering Scotland's demographic trends, this proposal warrants examination. Carers UK estimates that approximately two-thirds of people in Scotland will provide unpaid care at some point in their lives.
With a growing population over age 65, the demand for care is expected to rise.
The Scottish government estimated in 2024 that there are 700,000 unpaid carers in Scotland. Providing an extra £400 per carer would amount to an additional £280 million annually.
