‘People are dying because of what you did’: Jo Swinson confronted by student over Lib Dem-Tory coalition record
‘I know people who have suffered so much and it breaks my heart,’ socialist student tells party leader
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
![Head shot of Andrew Feinberg](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/andrew-feinberg.png)
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
Jo Swinson was accused of leading a party that caused people to die through its involvement in austerity as she was confronted by a student on the campaign trail.
“People are dying here in poverty because of what you’ve done on austerity,” Jay Sutherland told the Lib Dem leader as a crowd of onlookers and photographers gathered.
Ms Swinson, who was in Glasgow with Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Lib Dems, listened as the 18-year-old attacked her party’s record on supporting drastic cutbacks to public services when in coalition with the David Cameron's Conservatives.
“I think it is unforgivable what you’ve done to Glasgow – cities like this,” the University of Strathclyde student said.
“I know people who have suffered so much and it breaks my heart. People are dying because of austerity – do you know that? Because of the Lib Dems enabling that.”
Ms Swinson encouraged him to look at the party’s plans for the future, saying: “We are setting out a lot more money to put into Universal Credit.”
But Mr Sutherland, an organiser of Scotland Against Militarism, described as “a radical campaign to oppose militarism and work towards a full ban of the military in education”, responded: “It’s just not good enough, just not good enough.
"I’m a student here in Scotland and luckily I get free education but look at the Lib Dems in England – you traded students in and I don’t think people will ever forgive you for that.”
While in power with the Tories from 2010 to 2015, the Lib Dems went back on a pledge not to introduce tuition fees for students, although 21 of the party’s MPs rebelled in the vote. Nick Clegg, then party leader, later apologised for having made the promise.
Asked by Mr Rennie about the climate emergency, the socialist-backing student replied: “The Lib Dems support capitalism and capitalism is not a viable option.”
“You’re entitled to that view, and I think we should reform capitalism,” Ms Swinson said.
Mr Sutherland, who describes himself as an activist for a grassroots radical movement for Scottish independence, said it was sad to see the MPs in Glasgow, “the city hit hardest by austerity in Scotland”.
The Lib Dems have been approached for comment.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments