Former Liberal Democrat leader David Steel said he is optimistic that the party will win more seats, including holding on to Dunfermline and West Fife, at the May 6 general election.
Lord Steel of Aikwood visited the scrappage yard of U-Pull-It, at the Belleknowes Industrial Estate in Inverkeithing with Liberal Democrat candidate Willie Rennie, who is campaigning to keep his seat in Parliament.
Lord Steel, who was leader from 1976 to 1988, told The Courier the scheme was close to his heart.
He said, “I am a keen classic car collector and my daughter wrote off a Jaguar Series 3 XJS, which was taken to this site.
“We are very keen to put Labour into scrappage and one of my many classic cars ended up here, so this was a good idea by Willie.”
Lord Steel said that the campaign is going well, adding, “I was in Edinburgh South yesterday and that is a seat we’ve had our eye on for a while.
“I got the impression that we are doing extremely well and we’ve got a good chance there.”
Kirkcaldy-born Lord Steel, who is now retired, said that he “potters” around the country and is confident the wave of euphoria over Nick Clegg will help stir the interest of younger voters.
He said, “There is a lot of money poured in to the Conservative campaign and we knew it would be a tough fight but we’re absolutely delighted the way the polls have shifted.”
Lord Steel also praised the televised political debates, which have increased his party’s standing in the polls.
He said, “Although we don’t have a presidential system it helps to colour the debate.
“I think that one of the most satisfying things about them is the polls show it has revised interest among young people. It is very healthy as the vote has been going down.”
Lord Steel is optimistic about Mr Rennie’s chances at the election. He said, “I think Willie was in a difficult position at the beginning of the by-election but he’s built up a good personal following as an MP.
“I’m not saying it’s certain nothing is certain but it’s certainly looking a lot better now.”
He added, “It looks like the Lib Dems will have a big influence on the future of politics.”
Image used under Creative Commons licensing, courtesy of Flickr user quixotic54.