In today's Times Tim Hames suggests the Liberal Democrats problems go beyond their leader and that those calling for a more youthful and visionary front man would be disappointed with the result.
I happen to agree with those who think Ming should step aside but would point out that in the main his problems are not of his own making. The 'third party squeeze' effect in British politics is well-documented and since Brown hasn't lurched to the left as many predicted and Cameron has so far resisted the constant urging to lurch to the right this squeeze effect is all the more marked. It may seem like an obvious observation but the Liberal Democrats aren't seriously considered as an option in the polling both for most UK electors - and by 'option' I mean a potential government. When the either of the big two pitch themselves to far beyond the centre ground then the Lib Dems are ideal for protest votes, at least for the more tribal voters who would never countenance voting for 'the other lot'. The party has built it's electoral success on this and never, to my mind, displays any annoyance at this fact. Although they would always deny as much in response to a direct question they seem curiously relaxed about their public image as the 'none of the above' option or a sort of feeder party whose purpose is to spot sensible middle-way policies that either of the other two can pinch.
Much is made of Ming's gentlemanly demeanour but this actually reinforces this problem - when contrasted with Brown & Cameron he may come across as 'above the fray' and looking down on the other two but that's part of the reason why nobody seriously considers them an option when they know their vote really counts. That the liberals were in some sense the original 'owners' of the centre-ground pitch the other two are now doing battle over seems grossly unfair but it's true. It's a tremendous shame that our political landscape is to narrowly drawn to find room for people of Ming's credibility and decency but it's true nonetheless. A more youthful, energetic and forward-looking leader is their only hope of avoiding the squeeze becoming more serious.
I happen to agree with those who think Ming should step aside but would point out that in the main his problems are not of his own making. The 'third party squeeze' effect in British politics is well-documented and since Brown hasn't lurched to the left as many predicted and Cameron has so far resisted the constant urging to lurch to the right this squeeze effect is all the more marked. It may seem like an obvious observation but the Liberal Democrats aren't seriously considered as an option in the polling both for most UK electors - and by 'option' I mean a potential government. When the either of the big two pitch themselves to far beyond the centre ground then the Lib Dems are ideal for protest votes, at least for the more tribal voters who would never countenance voting for 'the other lot'. The party has built it's electoral success on this and never, to my mind, displays any annoyance at this fact. Although they would always deny as much in response to a direct question they seem curiously relaxed about their public image as the 'none of the above' option or a sort of feeder party whose purpose is to spot sensible middle-way policies that either of the other two can pinch.
Much is made of Ming's gentlemanly demeanour but this actually reinforces this problem - when contrasted with Brown & Cameron he may come across as 'above the fray' and looking down on the other two but that's part of the reason why nobody seriously considers them an option when they know their vote really counts. That the liberals were in some sense the original 'owners' of the centre-ground pitch the other two are now doing battle over seems grossly unfair but it's true. It's a tremendous shame that our political landscape is to narrowly drawn to find room for people of Ming's credibility and decency but it's true nonetheless. A more youthful, energetic and forward-looking leader is their only hope of avoiding the squeeze becoming more serious.
Labels: Politics
1 Comments:
You have to remember that a large proportion of the estimated 800,000 votes that will decide an election are border Lib Dem voters and the concerns they focus on are therefore of disproportionate importance. As for spotting a middle way I`m afriad I see little evidence of this .They actually hold extreme left views above which is a light dusting of Libertarian ideas which they do not take seriously in local government . These supposed ideas are contradictory ( hence Lib Dum)
A lot of their tribal following however are influenced by transient style issue and regional organisation. These may be unaware of the implications of reintroducing progressive taxes locally and nationally. They may be tempted into Camerons Liberal Conservrative concensus against the Stalinist pig in lipstick Brown and his big government micro controlling new National Socialist One Party State
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