Sometimes you read a newspaper article that makes your blood boil! Last week the Guardian published an article by Simon Jenkins which was his periodic 'what's the point of the Lib Dems' article. Yet what is odd is that a number of the things Simon Jenkins appears to be lieve in - such as real decentralisation of power and decision-making are things that the Lib Dems champion. The idea that British politics doesn't need a genuinely liberal voice becomes more extraordinary with every new law that this government passes.
The Guardian nobly gave me a right of reply today - inevitably summing up a political party in less than 500 words is a challenge, but this was my stab at responding to his article. Let me know what you think.
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7 comments:
I liked it. I think you had to resort to platitudes but, as I wrote last week, I can't see how you can define ANY party without such recourse, least of all Labour or the Tories.
thought you put it well. It's interesting to read the comments on the Guardian site - some accuse Lib Dems of being too left wing, some say we're too right wing, and some say we can't make up our mind. I think we know what we're about - as you say, the party constitution sums it up well. Maybe we need to reinforce that message to the public.
Blow it! I new some big-hitter would come along and scotch my chances of having my letter published.
It's a good article, though.
The problem is that Jenkins makes his point for political reasons – he’s a committed supporter for whom the Lib Dems are a nuisance – but because he’s a journalist and you are a politician, readers assume he is somehow more impartial. Still, I think you made the point well.
You made some good points that I agree with, however even as a committed Lib Dem even I'm extremly worried that Ming has so far been too easy on Brown and would not be a strong force in any potential post-election coalition. If we're going to be stuck with Ming the Parliamentary party atleast need to give him a bit of a talking to (again).
The thing is you did not answer the MAIN POINT of the Jenkins rant viz that, in Scotland, Lib Dems having tried a bit of power sharing (though finding it tending to cramp their style a bit in complaining about their own decisions) have decided not to bother being in power again.
The poor guy who was Lib Dem leader on Oldham Council when there was a two year failed council there summed it up:
"When in opposition we can say anything and do nothing but when in power there are tough decisions to take and we we're up to it" or words to that effect. Election night 04 I think. Quoted in the Manchester Evening News.
If you have an opportunity to exercise power and don't bother what is the point of your party?
Weren't up to it that should be. Sorry to misquote a Lib Dem! It wasn't deliberate.
Good stuff, what often annoys me is the hectoring tone journalists adopt as they look down on politicians as if they were all inept children with their fingers permanently in a sweetie jar. Some of your colleagues (generally that is) have not helped but the argument is fairly purile. We need real choices in this country, not the New Labour/Conservative Party of the centre right that seems to agree on the fundamentals except who would be best at managing the country. Not sure I would have been as polite in my response!
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