Danny Alexander has spoken of his frustration at watching the Tory Government dismantle many of the “very good things” he and his Liberal Democrat colleagues achieved during the coalition – while taking undue credit for others.
The former chief secretary to the Treasury, whose work in government is to be recognised with a knighthood, accused the Conservatives of “rewriting the history” of the economic recovery.
He told the Press and Jouranl that his party needed to remind voters of its role in securing the nation’s finances and build on its record in government.
Speaking at the Lib Dem conference, the ex-Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey MP said: “It’s very frustrating to see some of the very good things that we as Liberal Democrats forced onto the agenda being reversed.”
He revealed he was especially disappointed to see the drive to support the oil industry lose “momentum” and the framework for incentivising investment in renewable energy reversed.
“There are some things where it’s incredibly frustrating, but there are other things on the other side of the equation where the Tories have moved more in the direction we set out,” he added.
“There’s a lot of rewriting of history going on, things that the Liberal Democrats did on cutting income tax for working people, on mental health but also the whole economic recovery.
“I’m pleased to see Tim Farron this week talking about the importance of building the party’s economic credibility. We have got a good record from government and we need to build on that.
“Part of that has to be reminding people the economy would not be recovering if it was not for the Liberal Democrats, the balanced approach we put in place.”
Mr Alexander – who was ousted by the SNP’s Drew Hendry at the general election – said there were many reasons to feel optimistic about his party’s future, despite May’s “appalling and incredibly difficult” result.
He went on: “I think the election of Jeremy Corbyn is an extraordinary step into a 1970s fantasy land by the Labour party that creates a huge opportunity for the Liberal Democrats.
“We are the only party that speaks for that liberal, centre-ground approach to politics which actually is where most people are.”
Since losing his seat he said he had been offered a number of opportunities, but is in no rush to jump into anything new given his “abrupt” change of circumstances.
Mr Alexander insisted he had not ruled out a return to politics, but added: “Other things have to come first.
“I’m still actively involved in the Liberal Democrats and I will support the Highland candidates in the Scottish Parliament elections next year.
“Willie Rennie has been the most effective opposition leader in the Scottish Parliament. I hope he and his colleagues will be rewarded.”
He is also working on the cross-party campaign to keep the UK in the EU, ahead of David Cameron’s promised referendum by the end of 2017.
Asked about the prospect of another independence referendum he said the SNP leadership did not want to call one because they knew they would lose.
He added: “But Nicola Sturgeon clearly has a balancing act because most of her members want another referendum, want independence, despite the huge economic damage it would do.”