Dundee Liberal Democrats - www.dundeelibdems.scot

SNP focused on independence despite worst ever cancer figures

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today warned that new cancer figures paint a "bleak picture" after services posted the worst performance against the 62-day referral to treatment standard since records began in 2012.

A&E Crisis: number of people waiting more than four hours second worst ever

Responding to figures from Public Health Scotland showing an increase in A&E waiting times and the second worst statistics on record for the number of people waiting over four hours (8,631 record), Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP commented:

McArthur: SNP presiding over wave of sexual and violent crime

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Liam McArthur has today criticised a planned wave of SNP cuts to justice as recorded crime figures showed a surge in violent and sexual crime.

McArthur: SNP presiding over wave of sexual and violent crime

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on the Scottish Government to get to grips with the social care crisis, instead of devoting their efforts to independence after new figures showed a 51% year-on-year increase in delayed discharges.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today called on the Scottish Government to get to grips with the social care crisis, instead of devoting their efforts to independence after new figures showed a 51% year-on-year increase in delayed discharges.

Speaking ahead of Nicola Sturgeon's statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, setting out her plans for another referendum to break up the UK, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Nicola Sturgeon's desire to break up the UK is out of touch, obsessive and desperate.

"Nicola Sturgeon is neglecting everyone who is worried about paying the bills or the sharp spike in Covid infections. It's a kick in the teeth for health staff, the hundreds of thousands of people on NHS waiting lists and anyone who believed the First Minister when she said education was the top priority.

Commenting on the Scottish Government memo obtained by the Guardian which reveals that "it is almost certain" draft laws were secretly changed to secure the Queen's approval, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"These documents suggest that there has been meddling in the process even before government legislation was first shown to parliament.

Speaking after he attended the First Minister's summit on abortion rights alongside campaign groups including Back Off Scotland, BPAS and Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today said that government support for proposals for buffer zones around Scottish abortion clinics, "must be the base camp, not the summit of our ambition when it comes to protecting and expanding women's reproductive rights."

Responding to today's Scottish Government statement on MAT Standards, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Buried in this dry and technical statement is the shocking admission that MAT standard 1 has only been fully implemented in one out of Scotland's 32 Alcohol and Drug Partnerships.