Once at the forefront of Scottish politics, the Progressives have been re-established as a grassroots alternative to the mainstream parties.

The progressive tradition in Scottish politics goes back a long time. The first organised movement of Progressives came with growing opposition to the municipal socialism that accompanied the rise of the Labour party in major towns and cities in Scotland. Formed initially as a loose anti-Labour alliance, they emerged as a strong force in their own right:

Progressive groupings formed in Edinburgh in 1928 and Glasgow in 1936 before spreading to other cities and towns. Their members were mainly drawn from small businessmen opposed to the introduction of what they saw as municipal socialism and Labour control. They dominated Scottish local politics for almost 50 years and as late as 1972 Edinburgh council was made up of 21 Progressives, 9 Conservatives, 33 Labour and 5 Liberals.

As the mainstream parties increasingly entered local politics to provide viable alternatives to Labour, the role of the Progressives gradually diminished.

Now this has all changed. We no longer have mainstream parties that are viable alternatives to Labour. The SNP, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives have the same trademark attachment to big government that has always characterised Labour. They all believe that they can spend your money better than you can spend it yourself.

We are no longer talking only about municipal socialism but about an addiction to high taxes and regulation that dominates the whole political scene.

The task of the Progressives today is the same as it always was.

We believe in small government, individual liberty and free enterprise.

Only the Scottish Progressives offer a serious agenda for reform.