Lib Dems: Battle for Scottish leadership

MSP Mike Rumbles has announced he will stand against Nicol Stephen in the contest for the leadership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Rumbles and Stephen are the only two to put their names forward to replace Jim Wallace, who plans to stand down officially at the end of June.

Stephen, the Aberdeen South MSP, is said to be favourite to win the election and has the backing of nine MSPs, including fellow Scottish Executive minister Ross Finnie.

But Rumbles, MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardines, said he would not be standing for the post if he did not think he could win.

"It's going to be a David and Goliath task, but after all, David did win," he told the BBC.

"This is all about the members of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, it's not about the 16 votes of the MSPs or even the MPs or anyone else.

"This is about a one person, one vote election."

In his leadership bid statement Rumbles acknowledged the "tremendous contribution" that Jim Wallace has made to the success of the Scottish Liberal Democrats over the last 13 years.

He said in order to concentrate on the role of leader, he did not intend to take up any ministerial portfolio if he was successful in the ballot.

And he promised to press ahead with Lib Dem plans to abolish the council tax - replacing it with a fair local income tax - and to obtain more powers for the Scottish Parliament.

In Stephen's statement the MSP also pays tribute to Wallace and champions the Lib Dem success at the general election.

Stephen says: "The results last week signpost the opportunity to win as Liberal Democrats in new parts of Scotland. New parts of Scotland turning to the Liberal Democrats. Young people and students turning to the Liberal Democrats."

And he outlines the recent Lib Dem policies which have been implemented with young people in mind including abolition of tuition fees and the reintroduction of student grants.

"In Scotland, I am determined to do more for young people, to give young people a voice and get them involved," he said.

"The simple message is that the Liberal Democrats are the party of the future."