Lib Dems can win back Highlands from SNP – Cole-Hamilton
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says his party can “win back the Highlands” from the SNP at the 2026 election, and such a victory would be the “story of the night”.
He spoke at the party’s spring conference in Inverness, a day after dramatically revealing new Lib Dem MSP Jamie Greene, saying “others are set to follow” his decision to leave the Tories.
Mr Greene’s defection means the Lib Dems now have five MSPs and the party will be pushing for more parliamentary time as a result.
Giving a speech towards the end of the conference, Mr Cole-Hamilton said he would shortly be driving across Europe to Ukraine as part of a convoy of five ambulances being donated to the country.
Other politicians, including Lib Dem MP Angus MacDonald and Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, will also be part of the convoy.
Addressing supporters in Inverness, Mr Cole-Hamilton said the party now has its sights on three seats in the Highlands of Scotland.
He said Lib Dem analysis of the general election results showed these three seats – Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch; Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, and Inverness and Nairn – all falling to the Lib Dems.
Referring to the incumbent MSPs, he said: “Kate Forbes, Maree Todd, Fergus Ewing. Three current and former SNP ministers.
“We are coming. We can win those seats.
“And conference, that would be the story of the night – Scottish Liberal Democrats winning back the Highlands.”
Discussing his journey to Ukraine, he said: “When we leave this conference hall, Angus MacDonald and I will begin a 2,000-mile journey. Driving overland through Europe, through the night.
“Together we will deliver a convoy of five ambulances to the people of Ukraine.
“The American president may abandon Ukraine, but we as liberals will not.”
The Edinburgh Western MSP said Mr Greene’s decision to join the Lib Dems was “one of the bravest and most principled acts I have seen in Scottish politics”.
He said: “Jamie has found safe harbour in our movement, he is so welcome, and mark my words conference, others are set to follow.”
Mr Cole-Hamilton concluded his speech by urging supporters to keep “elbows up” – a Canadian phrase meaning being ready to fight.
SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Emma Roddick said: “The Lib Dems talk a good game but their actions say otherwise.
“Whether it’s on tuition fees, going into coalition with the Tories in 2010, or abandoning their opposition to Brexit – welcoming Brexiteer MSP Jamie Greene to their ranks this week – the Lib Dems can promise the world but rarely deliver.
“Unlike the Lib Dems, the SNP will never back down on our principles.
“We will always champion the Highlands – standing up against the worst excesses of UK Government decisions, delivering 100% rates relief for hospitality businesses on the Islands, and an up to £10 million investment in the Port of Nigg.”
