THE Scottish Conservatives appear to have failed in a bid to have a controversial Holyrood debate on Margaret Thatcher's political legacy switched from the day of her funeral.
The SNP and Labour indicated they would not support Tory efforts to move the debate when Holyrood business managers meet today.
The LibDems yesterday joined Tory MSPs in calling for it to be postponed, but their support would not be enough to force a change in tomorrow's parliamentary timetable.
The Scottish Greens chose to discuss Margaret Thatcher's legacy in the one debate of the year that they sponsor. The subject was agreed by the parliament last month, before Lady Thatcher's death.
Appealing for a delay yesterday, Alison McInnes, the LibDem business manager, said: "Margaret Thatcher was often accused of lacking empathy. It would be a mistake for her opponents to show a similar lack of empathy on the day of her funeral. It is important we remember Margaret Thatcher was a mother and a grandmother.
"A consensus is developing that, whatever we thought of her politics, political hostilities should be abandoned on the day that she is laid to rest."
Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: "This is a welcome move by the Liberal Democrats, and hopefully the other parties will now follow suit. It is perfectly possible for this debate to be moved to another slot. Staging it at the same time as Baroness Thatcher's funeral will reflect badly not only on the Green Party orchestrators, but the Scottish Parliament as a whole."
However, an SNP spokesman said: "Topics for opposition debates are entirely a matter for opposition parties."
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