Just recently, I laughed out loud when I got a euro election leaflet through the door from the Libdems, telling me not to vote for the SNP candidates because they would 'say anything to get elected.' The astonishing hyprocrisy of that almost made me choke on my cornflakes.

So it's interesting to hear that Cllr Martin Ford, who sits on Aberdeenshire Council has joined the Green Party, after quiting the Liberal Democrat party as a consequence of their handling of the 'Trump Affair'. I particularly like the extract from his resignation letter to LibDem leader Tavish Scott, that is now posted on the SGP website. I'll reproduce it for you here:

"Essentially, I have been forced to the conclusion that the party does not do 'what it says on the tin'. I still strongly support the vast majority of the party's stated policies and the liberal and democratic ideals it was formed to promote - I just don't trust the party any more to adhere to these things itself. I also recognise that the great majority of party members are decent people who sincerely support the things the party says it stands for and act accordingly. Most of my closest friends are party members.

One of the main reasons I joined the Liberal Democrats was the party's environmental policies. They remain, on paper, a powerful argument for supporting the party. Unfortunately, the reality is different. I have canvassed for the party at every election in the last twenty years. During most or all of those campaigns, at some point I have had to reassure a sceptical voter as to the party's stance on the environment. "All the parties now say they are committed to the environment. But the Liberal Democrats really mean it." I can hear myself say it. I don't believe it myself any more, so, in all conscience, I can't say it to others."

Welcome to the fold Cllr Ford. It must have taken courage to make the leap, but it must be a great relief to know that you're joining a party that does still stick to its principles.