The Future Of The Liberal Democrat Party?
Not sure if anyone caught the piece on The Politics Show on Sunday covering the leadership of Nick Clegg and the "future" of the Liberal Democrat Party under his leadership.You can watch it here - the bit you want is 5 mins in.
I haven't laughed so much in ages.
Whilst Clegg may want to portray himself as a man of the people, a down to earth guy who runs for trains and shares his offices with the local plumber - I have to say he comes across as the sort of guy who not only laughs at Maories when they perform the Haka in front of him, but also mysteriously takes off his tie when meeting people at his local church...only to put it back on again to go home and meet the family. What an odd man.
But putting that to one side, Cleggy needs some advice about the future of his party and how to think "daringly" - so who are the best people the BBC can round up to pass on pearls of wisdom?
Well, first up we have Simon Hughes. Admittedly he may be good at thinking "daringly", but I can't help thinking his chance to lead the party in any meaningful way has rather passed him by. He would be far better off sitting in that leather chair and considering the role of a Bond villain in Quantum of Solace, than pass on his musings about Government.
He is followed by some female Lib Dem prospective MEP candidate (all the big hitters turning out, you note!) that I have never heard of. Not that I have always heard of people toted as Lib Dem MPs mind.
We have Andy Meyer. Come on, Andy Meyer, you must have heard of him? He runs a blog and everything...oh, OK, well all you need to know is that he certainly, most definitely, wears a tie. And it is a gold and yellow tie. Oh yes, that is how much of a Lib Dem supporter he is. If you put him through the ham slicing thingy, I am sure he would bleed yellow and gold.
Then we have famed political pollster Peter Kellner, President of You Gov. Wow, I actually recognised him. Although surely he isn't a Lib Dem? (Cue an apology and clarification from The Politics Show later on in the programme. "We would like to make abundantly clear that Peter Kellner is not, and never has been a member of the Liberal Democrats. We never meant to give that impression at all." The BBC lawyers breath a collective sigh of relief.)
And in between all those contributions, the piece de resistance. Former Head of Media for the Lib Dems, Mark Littlewood (9 mins 23 secs in). Asked how he would make the Lib Dems more credible, he offers a 3 point solution.
1) We mustn't just be the anti-Iraq party...we need to be anti-Afghanistan too!
Yes, because that will make you seem a very well rounded party with lots to say on policy, won't it? You will seem far more credible and not at all opportunistic and single issue in the slightest. Good thinking, Mark.
But there's more...
2) Focus on taxation, but don't talk about who pays what. Just say you will lower taxation.
Yes, don't worry about little things like who pays what. Just imply you will give everybody tax cuts. That is reasonable and not opportunistic in the slightest.
And finally...
3) It's no use having a few dozen activists in a conference hall deciding our policy twice a year!
And there, Mark, (a man formerly paid to always paint the Lib Dems in the best light possible) rather hits the nail on the head.
The Lib Dems are a parochial opportunistic little party, whose policies are decided by a handful of activists. This also explains why they have very few policies at all.
And also why they will never be taken seriously. Because remember this is them at a high watermark level. At the next election everyone (including the Lib Dems themselves) fully expect to lose seats to the Tories, if the polls are anything to go by. At the next election don't expect it even to be a few dozen people making their policies in a drafty conference hall somewhere.
At that point, it will probably just be Mark Littlewood, Nick Clegg, some MEP candidate, Andy Meyer and Simon Hughes formulating all their policies.
But not Peter Kellner, obviously. Let's make that very clear. ;-)
-
Labels: Andy Meyer, Lib Dems, Mark Littlewood, Nick Clegg, No Lib Dems, Peter Kellner, Politics Show
posted by Kerron @ 4:29 PM
13 Comments:
Never mind that Kerron. How about this. GuF dobs in Dale and Davis. Brilliant.
Kerron, this is poor. As you are about to get to an actual point you make some lame gag.
Ok so:
'Yes, don't worry about little things like who pays what. Just imply you will give everybody tax cuts. That is reasonable and not opportunistic in the slightest.'
Well, this is actually wrong. In fact, the Lib Dems more than other parties have been honest with their taxation. With the local income tax, for example, they admit that some will pay more. Or green taxes, where the commuter pays.
'The Lib Dems are a parochial opportunistic little party, whose policies are decided by a handful of activists.'
Ok, I agree that it is wrong that a handful of activist can decide on some policy issues, but are you really saying that it is wrong that the members have a say? Or would you rather your token conference votes and tacit victories on issues, which mean nothing.
Then you use this stock line Kerron:
'This also explains why they have very few policies at all.'
Come on - this is poor. An untrue schoolboy put down. If you could back it up, I might listen.
And don't be too cocky about the next election. If you have Brown in charge, I think you'll find it tough.
Right about Andy Meyer though!
you never reply either do you Kerron??
I do sometimes, if I can be bothered. Frankly with Lib Dems, I mostly can't be bothered wasting my effort!
I think it's more interesting to go back and read John's comments and look at the points of mine from the post he doesn't dispute.
Particularly this nonsense that to be credible the only thing you need to say is that not only you oppose Iraq but also Afghanistan. That sums up what a joke you are. Nothing to say apart from opportunistic protest voting on foreign policy.
Enjoy the next hundred years you spend in minority opposition considering those points. ;-)
So, you've ignore the points that I made then Kerron?
Also, to assume that I agree with your point because I didnt mention it is bizarre.
I think you have misunderstood the point that Littlewood was making in the comment.
Would be interested if you had some actual responses to the questions I posed, rather than coming back with over-the-top rhetoric.
Then again, you don't waste your time on the Lib Dems do you? (interesting how much you mention them)
I'd take you far more seriously if you could just come up with a bar chart to support your arguments. :-p
I know you make out (when it suits) that this is a light-hearted blog and not about political analysis...
But, it's a shame cos I actually would be interested to know your responses.
Alright, back to kilts...
Given that Peter Kellner is married to a cabinet minister I would have thought that would have made his allegiances clear!
"f you put him through the ham slicing thingy, I am sure he would bleed yellow and gold."
My blog needed a new strapline, thanks Kerron.
A man who takes his political inspiration from the public gaffes made by former leader Ming Campbell. God help us all.
(BTW, that is a better strapline if you want to use it. :-))
Not sure of the reference but Ming's most notable gaffe was his five tests for Gordon Brown that appeared to suggest that the Liberal Democrats wanted to go into coalition with Labour. I'm guessing you're not attributing such a view to me.
Of course, you may understand the reference if you bothered to click the link. :-/
Here it is again for ease of reference:
http://kerroncross.blogspot.com/2007/09/what-are-lib-dems-forask-lib-dems.html
Sadly I haven't got it in bar chart form.
PS If we sat here going through Ming's greatest gaffes we could be here all night - you should never have axed Kennedy, just accept it.
Pining for Leaders past has never struck me as a particularly useful exercise. But then I agree it can be a mistake to replace leaders sometimes, particularly with those whose best years may have been behind them... don't you agree...
Post a Comment
<< Home