John Reid is against it. David Blunkett is against it. Ian Dale is against it. Even 'Lib Dem' Mark Littlewood is against it. [For the 8.55 argument on the Today programme, Mark Littlewood was asked to speak for the Lib Dems. His Labour foil, Sunder Katwala, asked why and pointed out that he could understand why Littlewood was in favour of a Tory/LD coalition since he runs 'a Thatcherite Think Tank'. Well, quite.]
These are all compelling reasons to think that a coalition between the LDs and Labour could work and could deliver a significant amount which a LD/Tory coalition would be unlikely to do. As ever, Paddy Ashdown shone for us on Radio 4 and explained why a Labour/LD coalition could work, despite the needless blatherings of Naughtie and the attempted intrigues of Nick Robinson. Essentially, Paddy's point was that the nationalists and other smaller parties would never vote with a Tory opposition and they would support PR or AV so a LD/Labour government could work. Also, could a Tory opposition which has made much of its desire to cut the deficit - with little evidence of how they would do this - vote against a budget which addressed this, even if they bleated that it 'didn't go far enough'?
I found a Tory election leaflet from Henley last night. In it my opponent railed against a coalition with the Lib Dems, incredibly using the Lib Dems' position on the Lisbon Treaty as the reason for his opposition to any such deal. There seemed to be no irony intended and perhaps the lack of space on the leaflet was the reason he did not set out how David Cameron had performed a startling reverse ferret on this very issue, promising a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty as a 'cast-iron guarantee' and then deciding that a referendum would not be necessary. From this I conclude that he is against a coalition. How many of his colleagues are as well?
Who'd be Nick Clegg...?
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
THE TORY MASK SLIPS A LITTLE FURTHER
You know, listening to another Tory MP on the BBC dismissively calling us 'the Liberals', then demanding that Nick Clegg acts in the national interest rather than narrow party political interest (perish the thought that Dave and his limited ranks might be doing this themselves) and then making the ugly point that the 'Liberals' can't afford to fight another election, I'm not exactly confident that Nick, for all his abilities, can make a deal with these [word deleted while discussions continue] - at least not one which Lib Dems could ever support.
The mask is slipping surprisingly quickly from the Tory face.
From a position of polite silence while my leader does his damnedest to cut a civilised deal, my position is hardening and its all thanks to the Conservatives, so I must thank them for giving me such increasing clarity as the hours tick by.
The mask is slipping surprisingly quickly from the Tory face.
From a position of polite silence while my leader does his damnedest to cut a civilised deal, my position is hardening and its all thanks to the Conservatives, so I must thank them for giving me such increasing clarity as the hours tick by.
Saturday, 8 May 2010
INTERESTING NUMBERS WHEN YOU CONSIDER THEM
There is an interesting article in the Independent today from Steve Richards, one of those commentators worth reading as he doesn't have an agenda of his own to pursue. He is convinced that an alliance with the Conservatives would not deliver electoral reform but would result in an early election which could see us fall back further. He favours an alliance with Labour to bring in voting reform as he says another hung parliament is highly unlikely.
Looking at the BBC website the arithmetic is interesting. Labour and the Lib Dems would have 315 votes together. If the Green and Alliance MPs were persuaded to come on board, the arithmetic is quite encouraging. The Conservatives and their likely allies, the DUP, could muster 314 votes to this 317. Once again, if we assume that the nationalist parties would be sympathetic to a change in the voting system which would be likely to deliver them increased support in future, and we remember that the 5 Sinn Fein MPs do not sit in Parliament.the chances of voting reform in this Parliament are quite good. Compare this with the Conservative offer of a commission...
Steve Richards points out how unpalatable it would be to prop up the Labour government but he thinks this is a once in a generation opportunity to change things. He has a point.
Fascinating times but also potentially desperate ones for the future of our party. Nick's up to it but I don't envy him the task.
Looking at the BBC website the arithmetic is interesting. Labour and the Lib Dems would have 315 votes together. If the Green and Alliance MPs were persuaded to come on board, the arithmetic is quite encouraging. The Conservatives and their likely allies, the DUP, could muster 314 votes to this 317. Once again, if we assume that the nationalist parties would be sympathetic to a change in the voting system which would be likely to deliver them increased support in future, and we remember that the 5 Sinn Fein MPs do not sit in Parliament.the chances of voting reform in this Parliament are quite good. Compare this with the Conservative offer of a commission...
Steve Richards points out how unpalatable it would be to prop up the Labour government but he thinks this is a once in a generation opportunity to change things. He has a point.
Fascinating times but also potentially desperate ones for the future of our party. Nick's up to it but I don't envy him the task.
NICK WOWS CROWD IN LONDON
Nick Clegg has just spoken to a demonstration in central London on the subject of electoral reform. He received a rapturous reception and he clearly has the support of thousands of people who want the voting system to change.
Can David Cameron resist this kind of pressure in the name of a minority of voters who elected his candidates in a minority of seats, which has meant that he has failed in his ambition to become Prime Minister?
It feels like history going on out there and it seems the Liberal Democrats are at the heart of this quite remarkable movement.
Are we in dreamland?
Can David Cameron resist this kind of pressure in the name of a minority of voters who elected his candidates in a minority of seats, which has meant that he has failed in his ambition to become Prime Minister?
It feels like history going on out there and it seems the Liberal Democrats are at the heart of this quite remarkable movement.
Are we in dreamland?
Friday, 7 May 2010
A POINT OF VIEW ON DAVID CAMERON'S OFFER
It's rather like a viper sidling up to you but the offer of co-operation from the Conservatives must be considered. The specific point I would like to see responded to robustly is on the proposed 'commission of enquiry' into electoral reform.
The plain answer should be reference to the last commission set up to look at this by another slippery customer in 1997, which reported back to propose a perfectly reasonable system called AV+, which would work with the existing constituency system and which would have a significant element of proportionality. It would be nice to see this as a deal breaker because this humble blogger thinks that if we go into any deal without getting a signature in blood on this issue it isn't going to happen.
The plain answer should be reference to the last commission set up to look at this by another slippery customer in 1997, which reported back to propose a perfectly reasonable system called AV+, which would work with the existing constituency system and which would have a significant element of proportionality. It would be nice to see this as a deal breaker because this humble blogger thinks that if we go into any deal without getting a signature in blood on this issue it isn't going to happen.
LET'S GET ONE THING CLEAR: THE TORIES DIDN'T WIN THIS ELECTION IN ANY WAY
The results are almost all in and the commentators busy commentating themselves to a standstill but to me there is a clear conclusion from the election. David Cameron failed to persuade people to support a Conservative government.
Now he will spin and declare that he was the winner and he will make grandiloquent statements about his right to rule but nothing will get away from the fact that he lost a 10 point poll lead, he failed convincingly to unseat an unpopular Prime Minister and his party and he failed to offer a sound programme for government. It is inherent in its very name that a Conservative government can never represent change.
Whatever we take from this enthralling election and whatever follows in coming days and weeks, we must never lose sight of this simple fact: Cameron failed in his primary task, which was to win an election for the Tories.
My prediction for the Conservatives is that they will bluster and scheme to get another election as soon as possible and the risk is that their scheming will damage our country. My question for them is whether people will want another election or whether they will simply want politicians to roll up their sleeves and talk to each other, which is after all what they are paid to do.
As for the Lib Dems, there is no question that this is a pretty bad result. It would be churlish to apportion blame because we have had a successful model which has delivered sensational results for years. My only immediate comment would be to question whether this very successful model has moved sufficiently with the times. Is 'death by leaflets' going to work into the future? I'd suggest that a conversation is needed about strategy and one which involves as wide a group as possible.
As for Nick Clegg's horrendous balancing act, which can be likened to a man on a tightrope above a nest of crocodiles, he's called this right and I have complete confidence in his ability to see us through this disappointing period. He has got us into the heart of the game and he's the right person to keep us there. Keep up the good work, Nick.
In Henley we actually did okay. We got more votes on the back of a very limited campaign and I would like to than each of the 13,466 people who voted for me. I am honoured by their support and I hope that they will stay with us in future Council and Parliamentary elections. I am confident for the future in Henley and I hope we can move forward over coming years. It was a good outcome for everyone concerned.
Finally, the fact that so many people across the country could not vote is an outrage and a scandal and a humiliating image of our country. I would like the new government to insist on a clear statement from each of the returning officers concerned about this disgrace and it would seem fair to me for the Electoral Commission to consider a second election in any seat affected where the majority for the winner was not sufficient to give a clear outcome when these lost votes are taken into account. As to the argument from local authority Chief Executives that our electoral system is 'Victorian', well it worked in 2005 and it worked in 2001 and it worked in 1997 and (continue until you get bored).
Sarah Teather was recently on TV after her marathon count and she perhaps made the best point of the whole night. Now is the time for everyone to get some sleep. Clear heads make better decisions.
With that, it's good night from a very tired candidate
Now he will spin and declare that he was the winner and he will make grandiloquent statements about his right to rule but nothing will get away from the fact that he lost a 10 point poll lead, he failed convincingly to unseat an unpopular Prime Minister and his party and he failed to offer a sound programme for government. It is inherent in its very name that a Conservative government can never represent change.
Whatever we take from this enthralling election and whatever follows in coming days and weeks, we must never lose sight of this simple fact: Cameron failed in his primary task, which was to win an election for the Tories.
My prediction for the Conservatives is that they will bluster and scheme to get another election as soon as possible and the risk is that their scheming will damage our country. My question for them is whether people will want another election or whether they will simply want politicians to roll up their sleeves and talk to each other, which is after all what they are paid to do.
As for the Lib Dems, there is no question that this is a pretty bad result. It would be churlish to apportion blame because we have had a successful model which has delivered sensational results for years. My only immediate comment would be to question whether this very successful model has moved sufficiently with the times. Is 'death by leaflets' going to work into the future? I'd suggest that a conversation is needed about strategy and one which involves as wide a group as possible.
As for Nick Clegg's horrendous balancing act, which can be likened to a man on a tightrope above a nest of crocodiles, he's called this right and I have complete confidence in his ability to see us through this disappointing period. He has got us into the heart of the game and he's the right person to keep us there. Keep up the good work, Nick.
In Henley we actually did okay. We got more votes on the back of a very limited campaign and I would like to than each of the 13,466 people who voted for me. I am honoured by their support and I hope that they will stay with us in future Council and Parliamentary elections. I am confident for the future in Henley and I hope we can move forward over coming years. It was a good outcome for everyone concerned.
Finally, the fact that so many people across the country could not vote is an outrage and a scandal and a humiliating image of our country. I would like the new government to insist on a clear statement from each of the returning officers concerned about this disgrace and it would seem fair to me for the Electoral Commission to consider a second election in any seat affected where the majority for the winner was not sufficient to give a clear outcome when these lost votes are taken into account. As to the argument from local authority Chief Executives that our electoral system is 'Victorian', well it worked in 2005 and it worked in 2001 and it worked in 1997 and (continue until you get bored).
Sarah Teather was recently on TV after her marathon count and she perhaps made the best point of the whole night. Now is the time for everyone to get some sleep. Clear heads make better decisions.
With that, it's good night from a very tired candidate
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
IT'S ALL UP TO YOU NOW
This is the first time I have stood for election and I have enjoyed it immensely. From buying too many cakes at Chalgrove's May Day fete to the hustings at Dorchester Abbey it has been a whirlwind of meetings, discussions with residents, radio interviews and school debates.
Plaudits must go to the students of the Henley College, who managed to stump me with two questions which I had to answer after the meeting. My thanks should also go to my Labour, Green and UKIP opponents for engaging fully with the election and giving residents a chance to grill us and learn more about what we all stand for. It is unfortunate that some parties have chosen to limit their exposure and I leave it to you to decide why that might be.
I must also thank the numerous people who have joined the Liberal Democrats, or volunteered to help with delivering leaflets or simply offered their endorsement for our policies and pledged their support on polling day. There are few nicer moments than having people come up to you in the street to tell you that they have voted for or are going to vote for you.
This election has got people talking and interested in politics, which is good for our democracy. I haven't had an easy ride from everyone but I have been engaged and argued with about the policies of the Liberal Democrats.
The best outcome of this election generally will be a large turnout which can help to upset the status quo. My experience over the past few weeks is that there is a strong appetite for change in this constituency and I hope that residents will not be scared off by threats from tabloid newspapers, banks or old parties. We can all wake up on Friday morning with a once in a generation opportunity for real change or we can stick with the same old politics.
Thank you for your support and I hope we can achieve real change for Henley constituency on May 6th
Plaudits must go to the students of the Henley College, who managed to stump me with two questions which I had to answer after the meeting. My thanks should also go to my Labour, Green and UKIP opponents for engaging fully with the election and giving residents a chance to grill us and learn more about what we all stand for. It is unfortunate that some parties have chosen to limit their exposure and I leave it to you to decide why that might be.
I must also thank the numerous people who have joined the Liberal Democrats, or volunteered to help with delivering leaflets or simply offered their endorsement for our policies and pledged their support on polling day. There are few nicer moments than having people come up to you in the street to tell you that they have voted for or are going to vote for you.
This election has got people talking and interested in politics, which is good for our democracy. I haven't had an easy ride from everyone but I have been engaged and argued with about the policies of the Liberal Democrats.
The best outcome of this election generally will be a large turnout which can help to upset the status quo. My experience over the past few weeks is that there is a strong appetite for change in this constituency and I hope that residents will not be scared off by threats from tabloid newspapers, banks or old parties. We can all wake up on Friday morning with a once in a generation opportunity for real change or we can stick with the same old politics.
Thank you for your support and I hope we can achieve real change for Henley constituency on May 6th
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