Why I'll Probably Vote Lib Dem And You Probably Should Too

When this election was called I thought getting rid of the Tories was secondary to trying to get rid of Brexiters.

Of course this election turned out to be about everything BUT Brexit. I'm still rabidly pro-EU. I'm not giving up on the dream but I think the fight for Remain is now totally over. The fight for Return will have to start but it can't exactly do that for a while.

The Tories have shown themselves to be even more useless than I'd given them credit for. Since May took over as Prime Minister I've struggled to understand some of her actions. Her failure to actively build bridges with Remains and picking a judicial fight over Article 50 rather than just get it through the Commons first time are top among the pre-election "blunders". These pale in comparison to the errors that May has made since calling the election.

She can't help but say hypocritical things like how she was too busy thinking about Brexit to attend a debate (well you called the election during the negotiations Prime Minister!) or complain about Labour being all soundbites and no substance (this needs little explanation!). Her manifesto policies were not just poorly conceived and rather empty, they were also pretty bleak. There was no vision there, none of the promise that Brexit supposedly will bring. It was all charges and pain.

Despite being extremely cool towards Corbyn before (his stances on the Falklands War and the IRA remain deep concerns to me), he seems like a professional whilst May appears dangerously inept.

At this point I'm more concerned about the prospect of a May return than a Corbyn premiership.

Meanwhile the Lib Dems, the only party I've ever voted for at general elections, have not taken off. The Brexit focus turned out to be the wrong strategy. They remain tarnished by coalition and caught off guard in what is turning out to be a possible national re-alignment politically. But right now the Lib Dems are the most sensible of the three main national parties (though some of those "Which Party Should You Support?" websites have me down as SNP!!). Their manifesto is sensible and costed. Tim Farron is a bit wet but he's not crazy and he's not utterly inept. At this point that's the best we can hope for.

You'd think as a near life-long Lib Dem member, a past paper candidate, and a liberal to my core, the decision to vote Lib Dem should be straightforward based on what I've laid out above. However, here in Dover, Yougov have got the seat down as leaning Labour. A chance to help punish the self-obsessed Tories who've put themselves before our national interest is calling out to me. I'm fighting it, but I don't think I'll know how I'll vote until I get to the polling booth.

And if you think that's crazy just take a look at this on the Yougov projections. If accurate (take a very large pinch of salt!) it suggests we could see massive seat changes across the country unlike anything seen for many years. I still think the Tories will win handsomely. But you never know!

Keep the Tories out? Hell no! Keep the Brexiters out!!!!!

What a difference two years make. The Tories campaigned as a safe pair of hands in 2015, against the rise of the SNP and a possible coalition with Labour. Not only was the stability of our economy at risk, so we were told, but the very Union teetered on the edge if Miliband got enough seats.

Now we know the Tories are anything but safe. Their radical and revolutionary agenda to remove Britain from the European Union has reinvigorated Nicola Sturgeon. Our economy has so many questions surrounding it that "stable" is about the only word one can't use to describe it. In a world dominated by crazy men like Putin, Erdoğan and Trump we're distancing ourselves from a block of peaceful neighbouring democracies and heading out on our own.

Now they have the gall to call those who oppose them a "Coalition of Chaos"! Theresa May claimed this country was coming together at Easter but proclaims we need this election due to continuing disunity. Division abounds. Partisan rhetoric continues everywhere.

Who stands against the Tories and their complete disregard for the United Kingdom and its standing in this world? Certainly not Jeremy Corbyn. He's allowed Brexit through and has no plans of overturning it. His party claim the snap election is somehow undemocratic... yet flipping well voted for it!!

This coming election is too important for partisan posturing. Those of us who believe in a United Kingdom and a European Union will need to make decisions constituency by constituency and candidate by candidate to help competent, reliable Remainers get into Parliament. That might mean a Conservative (well Kenneth Clarke) or a competent Labour MP who voted against Brexit (though not Ben Bradshaw who remarkably doesn't understand basic EU concepts like EU agencies needing to be based... in the EU). In other places that will almost certainly mean a Liberal Democrat. I hope, I really hope, the Lib Dems listen carefully to the Green party's request for an electoral pact in some constituencies.

Fighting for the continued existence of the UK against rising English nationalism that seeks to legitimise Scottish and Northern Irish nationalism is more important that partisan bickering. Tim Farron's comments (or lack of) on homosexuality and the fact he has utterly failed, after two years, to come up with a better answer to a question he got in his first week as leader? Who cares! This isn't business as usual. This is THE election of this generation. The odds are against us but we need to fight on regardless. 

Tough Times Behind And Ahead Of Us

Well. That wasn't pretty. I settled down in the pub last night and, stupidly, had allowed Cleggmania to go to my head. I wasn't expecting too much, a slight rise in seats. But what we got... well it was a bloodbath really. Oh sure, we're still better off than in 2001. No doubt about it. But we lost some very good MPs, especially Dr Evan Harris. But, BUT, we still gained an extra percentage point in terms of share of the vote which again highlights the ludicrous nature of our electoral system.

Now our party leadership faces a choice...

1) allow a Tory minority Government which will limp on for a few months before another election.
2) prop up a Labour Government i) with Gordon Brown ii) without
3) prop up a Tory Government i) in coalition 2) on supply basis.

None of these choices appeals to me. In fact all would make me unhappy. Which sort of helps me make up my mind in how I will argue away my concerns about what the leadership decides; I'll accept anything the leadership decides and give support to it. Not that that changes much, being a lay member with no power whatsoever, but I've seen the anger brewing between different groups of party members already, and feel I don't wish to become one of those people. We have a chance to push for something this country desperately needs: electoral reform. I trust the leadership of our party will pursue which ever of the offers we receive gives us the greatest chance of this.

That is what is important. That is what matters now. This is what we should be pursuing. I'm putting aside great misgivings about both the Labour and *shudder* the Tory parties because I understand that now is not the time for self interest but for what is in the best interests of this country.

Let's get behind Nick Clegg and the federal executive and support their decision. Whatever that turns out to be. And may God have mercy on our souls...

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What has #ge2010 taught us about marriage equality?

Just before the start of this general election I wrote "Gay marriage: The Dream That'll Never Be?". Have I changed my mind on the hopes for marriage equality following a month of politicians campaigning? I have to say... no I haven't.

Thanks mainly to Pink News readers pushing the question with the party leaders, we now are clear on where they stand.

Clegg: The number one question submitted by our readers was on whether Nick Clegg and his party support gay marriage. Mr Clegg said last month he supported civil partners calling themselves husband or wife but would he change the law to allow gay civil marriage?

Yes, I support gay marriage. Love is the same, straight or gay, so the civil institution should be the same, too. All couples should be able to make that commitment to one another.

Pretty clear.

Brown: In response to Downing St online petitions to introduce same-sex marriage, it was stated that the "government has no plans to introduce same-sex marriage", because it has to "balance the right to live free from prejudice and discrimination with the right to freedom of speech and religion". In what ways does same-sex marriage affect freedom of speech and religion? Andrew Archer

"At the moment there’s a distinction drawn between civil and religious unions, and when civil partnerships were being introduced they took the same form as a civil union which a heterosexual couple would have. We later made it illegal to discriminate on partnership status – so it is illegal to treat someone in a civil partnership different to a married person. That makes no practical difference in terms of rights and responsibilities, but does recognise that religious groups have the right to a certain degree of self-organisation on questions that are theologically important to them, including on the question of religiously-sanctioned marriage. So the provision of ‘marriage’ as opposed to the provision of same-sex or heterosexual civil unions, is intimately bound up with questions of religious freedom."

So gay people can't organise a religious union because....?

Cameron: Mr Cameron, do you support marriage equality in this country? Civil partnerships were a great step forward and I admire your support for it but until there is marriage equality in this country and the union of same-sex couples will be recognised as a 'marriage', then I will not be satisfied. Neil Young

I am so glad that we now have civil partnerships. They have helped remove discrimination and have given gay people the rights that they deserve. I want to do everything I can to support commitment and I'm open to changing things further to guarantee equality. But I also accept there are some gay people who want civil partnerships to be a distinct status from marriage. Whatever view you take, I think we should support any arrangement which is built on shared love and commitment, which is why we would give a tax break to both married couples and those in a civil partnership.

Hmm... could be read in a lot of different ways. Thankfully, or perhaps not, he's now clarified his party's policy.

A Conservative Party spokesman said Mr Cameron's response did not contradict the equality manifesto and said he had focused on the part of the question which suggested the Tories were definitely going to legalise gay marriage.

The spokesman added: "We're not planning to rename civil partnerships at the moment. We are considering it. We recognise there is a case to consider but we're not at that point, there has been no firm decision."

Here is what we have learnt:

1) All three party leaders agree civil partnerships are different to marriage. This helps clear up some of the arguments against marriage equality.
2) Gordon Brown and David Cameron both confirm they do not plan to introduce any legislation to introduce marriage equality. Gordon Brown and the Labour Government appear to confirm they are actually dead set against it, for "religious reasons".
3) Nick Clegg is the only one who actually gave a nice, simple, clear answer to the question presented to him, whereas the other two went round the houses... mainly because they knew the answer they'd give would not be one the audience wished to hear.

If we want marriage equality, we'll need to fight for it. Lobby and bug and press this issue. We cannot rely on the Tory or Labour parties to just do this for us... that is the main lesson we can take away from this election on that issue.

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Why I've Voted Liberal Democrat

So thanks to my favourite labour saving invention of all time, the postal vote, the 2010 General Election is a done deal for me.

Caveats: I'm not really a "tactical voter". I find it difficult to bring myself to vote for people/policies that I do not agree with. Obviously I don't agree with anybody on 100% of the issues so I have to base my vote on who I agree with the most. I'm a Liberal Democrat member, but I'm not going to pretend I have always voted Lib Dem in the past nor in the future. I have a brain and an independent spirit (which I suppose is why I'm a Liberal Democrat ;) ).

This time my mind was made up mainly on the strength of the policies (simply because I just don't know my candidates up here in Greenwich and Woolwich).

Our political system is dying. The conventions that underpin our system were fine when no one gave too much scrutiny to them and when events didn't undermine them. But our world now allows people to watch events in detail and live as they happen. And worse, for a system reliant on two party politics, even the smallest of political parties is able to attract members and support thanks to the internet and 24 hour news eager to fill space with talking heads. This has created a great deal of fragmentation and our system may well slip from one constitutional crisis after another unless we work to fix it. The Tories plan just to patch it up and hope for the best. Labour plan to reform it radically but then they always promise that and it never happens. The Liberal Democrats are the only party who have consistently favoured a "great reform" from top to bottom of our political establishment: a written constitution, electoral reform, an elected House of Lords etc. etc. I believe this great reform is the issue of our time. Economic misfortunes come and go... but we must not lose sight of building a firm foundation for the future of our country's Government.

Saying that... I believed the economy would be in good hands with Vince Cable. And the manifesto confirmed that for me. The most important part of the Liberal Democrat economic policy plan is to remove income tax from the first £10,000 earned. That, I know from experience, will mean a lot to a lot of people and will remove the unfair tax credit system and apply discounts to everyone who needs them rather than just those in certain circumstances.

I once read a book called The World Without Us. It really opened my eyes to the real effects our actions have on our planet and on our children's future. And it made me realise that whilst nuclear power might be quite safe and very good for our environment now, it poses untold risks to our world and our children in the future. And nuclear weapons pose an untold risk to the children of whoever our enemies happen to be at a particular time. So the Lib Dem policy against nuclear power and to reconsider, if not get rid of, the nuclear deterrent, is one I can't help but agree with. It might be difficult, it might be uncomfortable but it makes sense.

The Liberal Democrats are also the only party with sensible policies on Europe. Like me they are europhiles. But like me they want reform. And they even go one better than me... they want a referendum on Europe to end all the moaning one way or another. The Tories are eurosceptic but they aren't offering that. Labour can't make up their minds.

And on immigration they are similarly refreshingly frank. You might not like it. But they have a point, either we accept them and let them stay or they stay anyway. Simples. Well there is the third option but that costs billions and we just don't have that money and I think removing all those people might cause a few negative images to be sent out about our country to our international friends and allies.

And top this off with their strong focus on civil liberties, LGBT rights and foreign affairs and you have the reason for my vote for the Liberal Democrats. You might have other priorities. You might want to vote for someone else. I'm not going to tell you how to vote *VOTE LIB DEM*, just vote for what you believe in. ;)

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Tories Flip Flop On Marriage Equality

Sometimes I hate being proven right. And I hate that the Tories, who moan about Nick Clegg "flip flopping" over what he'd do in a hung Parliament, start to flip flop over an issue themselves.

In the first week of the election George Osborne said that a Tory Government would "consider" marriage equality. I gave him some kudos for this but also a warning:

"I believe this Tory promise to be nothing but hot air. I give them credit for saying the right words, but we have no evidence, based on past form, that they will follow through. So for now I continue to say that the only vote in favour of marriage equality is a vote for the Liberal Democrats (or the Green Party but let's not get too carried away!)."

Since then we've had plenty of Tory mishaps with regards to LGBT rights but even as recently as yesterday, with the launch of their equality manifesto, were sticking to the "considering marriage equality" line.

But now we know the truth. David Cameron has said they are "not planning" to bring in marriage equality.

A Conservative Party spokesman said Mr Cameron's response did not contradict the equality manifesto and said he had focused on the part of the question which suggested the Tories were definitely going to legalise gay marriage.

The spokesman added: "We're not planning to rename civil partnerships at the moment. We are considering it. We recognise there is a case to consider but we're not at that point, there has been no firm decision."

Seriously. Not planning but considering. What a load of old tripe!

We cannot trust the Tories with our rights, let alone with our country. Shocking.

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What Tory Non-Reaction To Philippa Stroud Really Means

The Philippa Stroud story rumbled on on Twitter, a very low level rumble that is, but didn't get into the mainstream media. I think any chance it will do is now extremely small. But that doesn't mean we can't extrapolate a few truths from the incident.

1) Here's a little paragraph from this article yesterday on why the media ignored the story:

"It’s interesting that today the Conservative Party quietly launched an equality manifesto, which among other things suggests that a future Conservative Government would “consider” the case for full gay marriage. But there was no press conference, so no opportunity for the mainstream media to question the Tory high command on the revelations relating to Mrs Stroud, so no opportunity to “move the story on”, something that is a pretty important task to achieve within a news story. Although a spokesman told me that there was never due to be any events or questions and answer opportunities relating to the publication of the equality manifesto."

So whilst the Tories launch their equality manifesto they keep absolutely silent on their position on Philippa Stroud, not even to defend her against her critics (nice party that). Disgusting, yet another sign they cannot be trusted on their promises to stand up for LGBT rights (or human rights in general)

2) Then there is this story on the hypocrisy of the Tories position on homophobia and PPCs. Basically they sacked Philip Lardner because he had no chance anyway, but won't talk about Philippa Stroud as she actually has (or is that had?) a chance in Sutton and Cheam. So homophobia is bad when it doesn't affect the Tories chances but okay to be ignored when it might. Principled? Me thinks not.

Don't be fooled by the Tories. As I said before the change is only skin deep.

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Lib Dem Flashmob - Trafalgar Square

So after a morning in Blackheath stalking Nick Clegg, I popped by Trafalgar Square to witness the London Liberal Democrat flashmob. Certainly got some attention from where I was standing and seemed to go very well. Although one man watching asked "This is all very well, but anyone here able to tell me who this Nick guy is?". Bless him. 

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Lewisham East: Day 28 General Election 2010

One month ago I made my way to Watford for some leafleting, envelope stuffing and Nick Clegg spotting. What a difference a month makes. 

In Watford there was a large crowd, carefully managed but cheerful with a quiet, respectful media. At Blackheath there was a mass of people pushing and shoving to see Nick Clegg, excitement palpable in the air and angry Labour supporters desperately joshing to get on camera (of which there were a great amount). Foreign journalists jostled to get good positions and questioned people as to why they were voting Lib Dem. I heard a Spanish journalist whisper "We're seeing the end of bipartisan politics in Britain" to one of her colleagues. This made me smile. 

Nick Clegg was inspirational in his speech even when he was accosted by a man demanding to know what he'd do about "institutional paedophile rings" (I believe that it was this man)

Now here are some of my usual rubbish pics, taken whilst I waved a big sign and tried to keep some scary Labourites (ok, they weren't scary, the one's behind me were quite nice... a bit depressed though, poor souls) at bay. 

ooo... someone's angry! Labour supporters, who'd have 'em?

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Philippa Stroud And The "Lib Dem Hit Piece"

It's been a rather shocking 24 hours really. The story about Philippa Stroud wasn't all that shocking; "Evangelical Christian tries to cure gays" is not really going to knock you over with it's bizarreness.

No, what has shocked me is how quickly the Tories have accepted her statement of innocence without even the most cursory of cheks.

“I make no apology for being a committed Christian. However, it is categorically untrue that I believe homosexuality to be an illness and I am deeply offended that The Observer has suggested otherwise. I have spent 20 years working with disturbed people who society have turned their back on and are not often supported by state agencies; drug addicts, alcoholics, the mentally ill and the homeless that I and my charitable friends in the public sector have tried to help over the years. The idea that I am prejudiced against gay people is both false and insulting.”

No one suggested that she thought homosexuality was an illness. The article refers to the belief that homosexuality is caused by demonic possession.

When PinkNews.co.uk pointed out to her spokesman that The Observer's prime claim was not that she believed homosexuality to be an illness, rather that she appeared to believe it could be overcome through prayer and removing "demons", he said: "we will not be adding to or subtracting to the statement." - Pink News

Both On The Right Wing and Iain Dale seem to suggest this is all just a belated Lib Dem smear against Mrs Stroud.

Well I can show you IT ISN'T. Abi, the girl quoted in the article, has been making her claims for quite some time. Just check out here. That no more proves Stroud guilty than Stroud's statement proves her innocence. But neither statement should just be dismissed for political reasons.

Accusations of "gay conversion" are, in my opinion, some of the most serious accusations one can make against someone without the police getting involved (and they still could under certain circumstances). It's disturbing to see Tories just brush them off and paint this all as a witch hunt. Defend Stroud by all means, but don't just dismiss claims against her as so much fluff because she's "a nice person". Lots of people think the same about allsorts of folks but have no idea of what that person is really like.

A thorough investigation is needed, promptly, to ensure confidence that the Tory party really does believe in protecting vulnerable people.

For more information on the serious issues behind gay conversion please check out Ex Gay Watch and Truth Wins Out

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The Tories, the General Election and LGBT Rights

The Tories have changed. I'm not going to argue that point. I sincerely believe David Cameron took a decision to move his party closer to the centre and as part of that project he finally dropped the official knee-dragging of the Tories over LGBT rights. That's great. But this official change has not led to changes in the grassroots (which I suppose no one would've expected) but it doesn't appear to have led to much change in the upper echelons either.

Firstly we had the Chris Grayling "B and B" gaffe, as Shadow Home Secretary you'd expect him to know the party line. Alas.

Then we had Julian Lewis and his comparison of the HIV risk to gay men to the risks faced in war, and that is why he supports an unequal age of consent.  *headdesk*

Then we had Philip Lardner, who has failed to understand the biological or psychological definitions of the word normal. He thinks things that are "common" are okay but those that are "rare" are not. On this basis "Tigers bad, domestic cats good!". Idiot. He promptly had Tory support withdrawn from his candidacy, again showing the deep divide between Tory policy and Tory reality. The support shown to him by lay Tory members on places like Conservative Home has shown how out of touch David Cameron is with his party's base. That doesn't matter whilst he's winning but, as Thatcher found out, they abandon you pretty quickly when you start to look like a loser.

Now we have Philippa Stroud. Obviously she already has her defenders (just check out some of the comments on that page). Religious freedom is a wonderful thing et al. BUT... these sort of ex-gay therapies are renowned for their psychologically harmful effects and for the abuse that often comes as part of the package. Thankfully I don't need to argue any of those points, as Ex Gay Watch documents all that pretty clearly.

The Tories have come a long way... but they've still got too far to go. LGBT folk who believe it's now safe to vote Tory must understand the change is only skin deep and only secure whilst "Cameronites" remain in charge. Be wary of pinning your hopes on them just yet.

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Don't Let Anyone Tell You It Can't Be Different

So many people are still playing the old game.... voting Tory not because they are loony, homophobic, Eurosceptic numpties but because they feel they have no other way of getting Labour out of power. That's not fair politics. That's electoral slavery. Well now there is a another way, a nicer way, a fairer way... Vote Liberal Democrat. Vote for fundamental change.

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The Surge: Beyond Mere Politics

We stand on the cusp of something. Something that could be immense. As the Tories and Labour begin to recover themselves from the shock of two weeks ago, we must accept there are now two possible futures:

1) the Liberal Democrats are pushed back and either the Tories win outright or the Lib Dems are forced to prop up a Labour Government and not get much in return, a bit like in the seventies.

or

2) the Liberal Democrats hold their ground or gain more and return to Parliament more powerful than previously conceived possible, and perhaps in charge.

The first option would be a disaster, not just for the Lib Dems but for the country. Our politics is dead. The Lib Dem surge has shown that our politicians are more corrupt than we could ever imagine and that the media truly believe they control our country. The sheer arrogance of this is enough to infuriate anyone. If we fail to seize the chance for fundamental change now, we may be trapped in our stagnant pendulum politics for another generation. And after Thatcher's war on the working class, and Blair's war on basic freedoms (and Iraqis) we've seen how destructive that can be.

The second option might not be one the majority would be happy with. Of course not. No party can expect to have a majority of people agree with it. If they did it'd be concerning. We live in a country full of many divergent opinions and views... that is healthy but they have no voice. I'm not saying the Liberal Democrats are that voice... we are more the voice box. With the power in our hands (however that occurs) we shall introduce PR (hopefully Single Transferable Vote) which shall finally allow the MAJORITY of people to get their voice heard. Whatever you believe in, the time has come to seize the chance to change our way of life, to throw off the chains of the status quo and finally secure a political system that might not be perfect but will allow different points of view to mold policy.

I'm a true believer. I love the Liberal Democrats. It hurts me to say this... but if you are a Tory, a UKIPer, a Green, a Labourite, a Socialist etc. etc. hold your nose. Vote Lib Dem. Get the chance to throw out our "past it's sell by date" system.

Seize the day. You might not get another chance.

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It's Not Just Murdoch and The Daily Fail Who Spin

Last week saw a feeble flurry of attacks on the Liberal Democrats, and specifically our leader Nick Clegg, by the "right wing press". The Torygraph, the Daily Express, the Daily Fail and the Sun pounced and then drew back (no doubt in wait for another opportunity to attack again shortly).

That is unsurprising. As someone who is in a centre-left party, a homosexual, a sceptic, and a Europhile it is hardly shocking to me to see them launching these sort of attacks. Par for the course, as they say.

I've been a Guardian reader since, at least, the year 2000, I'm under no illusions as to what sort of paper that is and, knowing the editorial slant, can usually read between the lines to the kernel of truth at the heart of any story (or even comment). I assume (no... pray!) that those who read the right wing tabloids do the same.

However even taking into account the Labour bias of the paper, I was disgusted to see today's headline story. What they implied was that Nick Clegg would not form a coalition with Labour if they came third in terms of popular vote. This is not what he said.

"It seems to me that it's just preposterous, the idea that if a party comes third in terms of the number of votes, it still has the right to carry on squatting in No 10 and continue to lay claim to having the prime minister of the country," he said.

"What I'm saying here is pointing at a very, very irrational possible outcome of our potty electoral system, which is that a party that has spectacularly lost the election … could nonetheless according to constitutional tradition and convention still lay claim to providing the prime minister of the country.""

He's said here, in a nutshell, "If the election throws up a rogue result of Labour losing popular vote and coming third but winning most number of seats, they shouldn't get Number 10". Therefore, implying, they don't get their guy (Brown or whoever) to be Prime Minister (a job Mr Clegg will certainly want for himself, he is a politician after all!).

Simples. But the Guardian chose to spin it, and for very transparent reasons; they are terrified Labour is about to collapse. This was no less a smear on Nick Clegg than calling him a Nazi, and in smearing him by suggesting he'd only consider the Tories suitable partners the Guardian was trying to terrify wavering Labour supporters into sticking with the tired old, authoritarian party that Labour has become out of fear of a Tory victory.

I know, it's ridiculous, but I felt almost personally affronted by the article. It's sheer CHEEK in suggesting what it was suggesting in the face of obvious evidence to the contrary was infuriating. I expect more of the paper I read, and have thus made the sad decision to give up on the Guardian. I'm turning to the Independent, whose editorial line I've always found confusing and whose website truly sucks but at least I know my money won't be going to support some backward, regressive paper who is willing to spin a story to prop up a war-mongering, civil liberties destroying, half-heartedly reforming mess of a party.

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Songs Of The Revolution

We don't want Labour any more, but do we will really want the Tories back? Probably not. Of course I don't (Liberal Democrat and proud of it!). However I think more people are also coming to that conclusion... musically...

Song for Democracy



Common People



Nick Clegg - Liberal Democrats Song



Vince Cable Is Right About Everything - The Attery Squash



Vince Cable's Way



Liberal Democrats - dedicated song



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The Cleggist Uprising

Iain Martin feels that "short of an earthquake or a Cleggist uprising across the country they will not get enough votes to secure an overall majority." They obviously being the Liberal Democrats.

Well I think Cleggism is a good phrase to describe the people who have created the Lib Dem surge. They aren't true believers like the one in five people who normally vote Lib Dem. They are protesters, people turned off by the expenses scandal and the real lack of responsibility that the two "old parties" (as Nick Clegg likes to call) have taken for those problems. That's why they've turned to the Lib Dems. Not because of our policies, and I don't think attacks on our policies will turn them off. They believe, rightly, that the Lib Dems aren't after half hearted change... they want to shake up the corrupt political system and start afresh.

It's no surprise the rise began just before the debates and just after the manifesto launches... launches that made clear Labour and the Conservatives just didn't get it. The people of this country are bored of more of the same. Whatever happens now, I really don't think the Lib Dem surge will truly recede unless the Tories and Labour really face up to the fact that they must support REAL political change.

The smears are starting from "Nick Clegg's not British" to "the Lib Dems will give paedophiles a vote". They will not stop. Let's see how Clegg gets through the next few days and the next debate before we can tell whether this surge is blip or whether change will is on it's way.

Interesting articles today including how Murdoch would be locked out of politics for first time in decades if the Lib Dems got into Government, a rather good break down of voting patterns and changing preferences based on the British regions (which shows the nationalists down, long term readers will know how much that makes me smile!) and is YouGov push polling?

And let us finish with another song...



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Reaction To The Lib Dem Surge

Well I think you've had quite enough of my opinions on the whole thing, so time to show off some excellent articles on the same subject:

Europe – Nick Cleggs Biggest Hurdle suggests the Liberal Democrats should embrace Internationalism over Europhilia. I might not agree but he certainly makes a good point that Europe is a "weakness" for the party if not handled correctly.

Why the Clegg Factor means the progressive consensus will have to wait is a great general overview of the events before, leading up to and soon to come in terms of the "surge".

Do Conservatives have the upper hand over Libdems? is really a look at why the Lib Dems might have to join up with the Tories in a hung Parliament and what that might cost us. Obviously, I think we can do better than that!

And don't forget to check out the latest Youtube craze.... I Agree With Nick!

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The Polls Are Tolling The End Of Politics As Usual

I can't help it. I'm going to write a post that shall no doubt be proved totally and utterly wrong. I'm giving in to the excitement, and throwing off the shackles of past disappointment. Now is the time to hope for change!

The polls are coming. Yesterday evening they showed the Liberal Democrats move into second place, pushing Labour into third. Now polls have come out 1) confirming that and 2) we have two more showing us moving into first place ahead of the Tories! This is unprecedented. This is miraculous. Sure... it's all very 1983 like. But there seems to be something in the air. Revolution almost.

Yes, I'm under no illusions. A lot of people are thinking of voting Lib Dem to punish the reds and the blues. Can you blame them? Even more are keen to get the Lib Dems in so that they can overhaul our political system and put in place Proportional Representation. Some are right wingers. Some left. As a "true believer", I wish they were voting purely based on our policies and skills alone. But I understand also this is a wider movement coming to OUR side in our hour of need at last. And we cannot say no to that.

After expenses and the half hearted reforms of the Labour Governments since 1997 people are ready for something HUGE. They no longer want just revenge. They want reform forever. And the Liberal Democrats offer that.

The attacks have already begun and fight them off we shall. The angry and confused Tory and Labour supporters seem unable to comprehend that there has been a shift and their attempts to play politics as usual with their manifestos (offering choice between the two for once but not addressing the root cause of the corruption of our political system) have forced people to look elsewhere.

The young have finally woken up and decided it's time to seize their moment (I'm a little too old to include myself with them now.. damn it!) and if you want to follow the new movement for reform check out http://www.libdem2010.com. The Liberal Democrats official site is here

Now time for a song...



If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist

I Agree With Nick!

Yesterday evening we had something brand new in British politics... a "Leaders Debate". It was, actually, rather interesting.

No one made any news worthy gaffes (although David Cameron did very vaguely suggest China's rise was a reason to support Trident and made a great deal of his, perhaps unique, experience of meeting an actual, real life black man) and all had prepared well. But Nick Clegg, a man previously considered as unconvincing and weak, managed to show he was actually a rather good speaker who could get his points across very well. And the country went "Oooo....".

Of course it's being downplayed. That's partly realistic and partly incomprehension on behalf of both the media and the political class. I got the feeling from the ITV News follow up that they just hadn't planned for this eventuality and trying to fit the idea Nick Clegg was considered to have done the best into their prearranged format was near impossible for them.

I'm a Lib Dem. I come with built in "success scepticism". I'm under no illusions. Over the next week there will be attacks from both sides, especially from the Tories, who will seek to discredit, by any means possible, Nick Clegg, the party and it's policies.

But the attacks so far have been very strange. Gove came in with claiming the Lib Dems would take the country into the Euro, blithely forgetting to mention the fact we would never do that without support from a referendum. Very odd. Very weak so far. Which is concerning in so much as the Tories are still likely to be the biggest party in Parliament in less than a month. Where's their usual killer instinct?? Hmm.. I suspect we'll see it soon enough.

But Nick does seem to have livened up the election, and reignited some of the embers of the rebellious feelings that had been created during the expenses scandals.

The next three weeks could be business as usual. Or they could just make electoral history. Pictures taken from http://www.libdem2010.com which is a Facebook group to keep an eye on!!

If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist

Even More Lib Dem T'Internet Goodness!

There's a new internet site launched today called Positive Voting which is dedicated to breaking the negative "You can't change things" attitude so deeply set in our political system. Very well designed and very worthy.

Nice little article on Nick Clegg's interview with Jeremy Paxman last night from a floating voter

Nick Clegg is trying to sell you a tax cut you can believe in! No tax on your first £10,000 of earning. That'll make a huge different to a lot of people. Unlike the marriage allowance from the Tories.



If you feel benevolent and particularly generous, this writer always appreciates things bought for him from his wishlist