Iain Smith For North East Fife

In his keynote speech to the Liberal Democrat Conference, Party Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has outlined his goals for the Government and the country over the coming years. He reiterated his commitment to liberal values on the environment and human rights and his determination to ensure a fair chance for every child, saying "every child can do good things, great things, if only we give them the opportunities they deserve."

North East Fife's local candidate Iain Smith has welcomed the Scottish Liberal Democrat plan to kick start the economy and create 100,000 jobs by using £1.5 billion raised by selling the debt Scottish Water owe the Scottish Government.

The plans, described by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury as a 'win-win', would see the creation of 100,000 new jobs and the restoration of growth to the Scottish economy. Central to this plan is investment in a greener economy with the creation of 33,000 jobs in offshore renewables and a further 10,000 jobs in supporting energy efficiency.

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP candidate Iain Smith is campaigning to keep Fife's Police and Fire service local and opposes the reckless plans of the Tories, SNP and Labour to centralise them by creating single Scottish Police and fire authorities based in the central belt.

By creating a national police force, the chief constable would come under the political control of a government minister and will lose their accountability and links to local communities.

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Commenting after questioning the First Minister on the SNP's proposed large retail levy, Liberal Democrat MSP and Convener of the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee Iain Smith said:

"The SNP didn't talk to retailers about their Princes Street penalty. They just tried to sneak it in the back door.

"Decisions of this magnitude need to be openly discussed with the industry.