A Place to Stand

Yesterday I received the following letter, without any warning whatsoever:

Membership of the Scottish Liberal Democrats

I am writing to you on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

At its most recent meeting held on this month in Edinburgh the Executive Committee unanimously passed a motion put to it by Executive Member Norman Fraser of Greater Glasgow Regional Party that you should be expelled from membership of the Party as the Executive was of the opinion that your continued membership would be seriously detrimental to the interest of the Party. This was under the terms of Clause C11(b) of the Scottish Party Constitution.

The main arguments in favour of the motion related to postings on your website and letters to the press regarded as illiberal & irreconcilable with membership of the Party.

Under the terms of Clause C11(c) of the constitution I am required to inform you of the decision and advise you that you are entitled to send me a submission in writing as to why the Executive Committee should not proceed at its next meeting to expel you. As the next meeting is on 21st January 2006 I would appreciate any letter of submission you would wish to make by Monday 16th January 2006.

At its meeting on 21st January the Executive Committee will hold a secret ballot which will require a 2/3rds majority to terminate your membership.

In the meantime I am also required to inform you of a further decision by the Executive Committee under Clause 12 of its constituion. That was to suspend you from the rights & privileges of membership for a maximum of three months from receipt of this letter while the question of termination of your membership is under consideration.

Yours Sincerely
Dr Derek A. Barrie
(Chief of Staff, Scottish Liberal Democrats)
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There will be more on this - trust me.