Stephen aims for top job in coalition
THE Liberal Democrats’ leader Nicol Stephen is preparing to seek the job of First Minister as the price of any coalition deal between him and other parties following this year’s Holyrood election.
Senior Lib Dems say that, on current polling evidence, the deputy first minister could be in a position to negotiate his promotion to the top job after May’s vote, and getting Stephen into Bute House is now one of their key election aims.
The moves were met with scorn by Labour party chiefs last night. They are already angry at what they see as the Lib Dems’ undue influence on their Holyrood coalition.
Despite polling evidence which shows them still well behind both the SNP and Labour, the Lib Dems
point to examples of coalition governments in Europe where the leader of the smaller party heads the administration.
Stephen is expected to press home his ambition next weekend when the party meets for its spring conference in Aviemore.
But a bid for the post rests on the party improving markedly on its 17 seats and Labour losing ground.
Another deal between Labour and the Lib Dems is still a strong possibility after May.
Both Stephen and his deputy leader, Tavish Scott,
have ruled out working with the SNP if the Nationalists demand a referendum on independence.
But Lib Dem sources have now confirmed that “informal discussions” on a coalition pact are still being held with SNP MSPs.
One said: “It would be foolish for us to rule out talking to the SNP.”
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