Has the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ time finally come?

I announced my candidacy for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats this week and am under no illusions of the task ahead of me should I take the helm.

In the aftermath of the coalition there was a real risk that the Liberal flame could flicker out. But with hard work, my colleagues and I have succeeded in turning our constituencies into fortresses. We have Willie Rennie to thank for that in large part. In his decade in charge of our party, Willie has gained a personal affection among the public with his colourful photo opportunities and the most recognisable smile in Scottish politics.

When I think of Willie’s style, I’m reminded of the film, Fire in Babylon, about the rise of the West Indian cricket team in the 1970s. For decades, the West Indies were well liked but had been considered sideshow entertainment and purveyors of ‘calypso cricket’ in the cricketing world.