THE prospect of a historic by-election upset in Shetland has left the “rattled” LibDems sniping from the sidelines, according to SNP depute leader Keith Brown.
Yesterday, LibDem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton was accused of lying on social media about a conversation he “overheard” between SNP youth activists in Shetland who he said were planning to bunk off campaigning and falsify canvassing data.
Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western, tweeted: “Overheard conversation yesterday in Lerwick: @theSNP youth activists out canvassing, resting on a wall and looking at 3 blocks of flats. ‘F this, can’t be bothered, let’s just mark them all as SNP and head back the office.’ Memo to SNP: don’t rely on your data #Shetland”.
The National understands no canvas data submitted to the SNP matched what Cole-Hamilton claimed.
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Brown said the message showed the LibDems are getting “rattled” at the prospect of losing an area they have held since the 1950s.
“Tom Wills is a stand-out candidate and his ideas on cutting transport costs and securing valuable green jobs are striking a chord with islanders,” Brown said.
“That’s why more and more people are moving to the SNP, many for the first time. The Shetland Times survey suggests we’ve reduced the LibDems’ lead from 44 points in 2016 to just four points now.”
He continued: “The by-election looks to be close, so we’ll continue to promote Tom’s positive ideas and fresh thinking to improve everyday life for Shetlanders and we’ll leave the LibDems to snipe from the side-lines.”
Cole-Hamilton’s claim was called an “awful smear” by SNP staffer Chris Jones, who said the youth activists were not actually in Lerwick on Sunday.
He wrote: “What an awful smear. I’ve been driving the @YSINational around the island – their energy and enthusiasm has been a joy to work with. Hang your head in shame @agcolehamilton for talking down young political activists. PS we were North of Brae yesterday ...”
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The incident wasn’t the first time the MSP has caused a stir on social media this month. Just a few weeks back, the LibDem posted: “I was in Sainsbury’s this afternoon, unshaven, wearing canvass shorts and a star wars t-shirt, the checkout assistant says: ‘I’ve started voting for your party & so’s my son. I’ve been @scottishlabour all my life, but not any more. Not after this week.’ #LibDemNow @scotlibdems”.
Labour MSP Neil Findlay branded Cole-Hamilton a “Fib Dem”, tweeting: “I am Alex Hole Bimbleton (Fib Dem) – I have just left the house to be mobbed by adoring fans saying ‘you are my saviour, where have you been all my life?’ In my usual humble, self deprecating way I anointed them with the residue from my latest workout and said ‘I shall return!’”
The by-election is due to take place on Thursday. SNP candidate Wills has pledged to take islanders’ concerns to the heart of the SNP Government.
He said he was pleased to have “played a part in such a positive and upbeat campaign” after starting out as the “underdog”.
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