tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322783749535110052.post3966547801815455050..comments2024-01-11T15:17:13.698+00:00Comments on Martin's View: Resisting the Charms of AdonisMartin Vearthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836538893598716215noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322783749535110052.post-47189015903076456192010-04-09T17:16:21.064+01:002010-04-09T17:16:21.064+01:00Martin – I can understand the need to avoid pointl...Martin – I can understand the need to avoid pointless discussions about the detail of hypothesised negotiations; it's the way in which LibDem spokesmen have failed to stress matters of principle that irritates me. Time and again the party has done this during election campaigns, and time and again its leaders have been called on it by the more astute representatives of the Fourth Estate.<br /><br />You refer to the LibDem front bench. There may be some capable people there with management potential, but some of them don't half talk shite. Baker is reasonably good on his transport brief, but Tether just blethers continuously in Question Time mode.<br /><br />VInce Cable is by far the best spokesman you have, and the reason for this is his frankness and honesty. That is not uncommon in political elder statesmen, as they are regarded as untouchable, and no longer have to play silly careerist games. But the fact that others in your party do play such games indicates that the political culture within it is little different from that of Labour and the Tories.<br /><br />Playing to win is a good thing, when it comes to specific constituency contests. I was talking before about the UK-wide debate (or "discussion", as we're now supposed to call it). If the LibDems really want to develop a new political culture in Britain, then they need to live out their professed beliefs, and stop fecking about.<br /><br />Another irritation is the way in which some LibDem constituency parties deal with local propaganda. I'm in London right now, in the Lewisham East constituency. Through the letterbox this morning popped a thin newspaper designed to look exactly like a local news rag, and in small print on the front page is a ridiculous statement about it not being funded by the taxpayer. Jesus wept, mun! Many rightly complain about local councils publishing propaganda in the guise of local journalism, yet in Lewisham this is exactly what the LibDems are doing. Such behaviour fosters cynicism and political apathy.<br /><br />Such criticisms aside, I really hope the LibDems do well in this election. But I'm under no illusions about the nature of the organisation – a corporate political entity in the same mould as the other two established parties. The only difference is that it doesn't bullshit quite as much as Labour and the Tories.Francis Sedgemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12310279298255158895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322783749535110052.post-83613843376226608722010-04-09T16:44:49.516+01:002010-04-09T16:44:49.516+01:00There is a reason for the down-playing of any deal...There is a reason for the down-playing of any deals Francis. To talk about such things now would be to resign ourselves to third place automatically (a placing which the media has been attempting to nail the Lib Dems to before the start of the election campaign) and also to alienated many voters. Both the larger of the two parties are all to happy to say "A vote for the Lib Dems is really a vote for Tory / Labour" (delete as appropriate). The current system is first-past-the-post and they are the rules we have to play with. <br /><br />You also query the depth of the Liberal Democrat front bench. Chris Huhne and Ming Campbell spring immediately to mind as equal to any of the current cabinet. Norman Baker on Transport is also very able and has been deeply involved in the planning of the High Speed Rail link. Without going on and on, there are also many younger MPs like Jo Swinson and Sarah Teather (housing) who have displayed real talent. Just for your information, Labour had 163 of their MPs as ministers, junior ministers and PPS's. How many of them can we all name?<br /><br />To return to your point. It may be hard for outside observers to credit it, but the Lib Dems are playing this election to win, not to come third. If there is horse trading to be done, that can wait until after the people of Britain and Northern Ireland have voted.Martin Vearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03836538893598716215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1322783749535110052.post-90687531600017231902010-04-09T14:52:47.193+01:002010-04-09T14:52:47.193+01:00They are fair points you make, Martin, but in the ...They are fair points you make, Martin, but in the current circumstances surely the best hope for those Brits who adhere to left-of-centre liberal views is a minority Labour government with LibDem support. And by this I mean more ministers than just Vince Cable running the Treasury. A Tory administration with Labour and the LibDems in opposition doesn't bear thinking about!<br /><br />When it comes to proportional representation, I have to say that I'm disappointed in LibDem leaders and spokesmen who've downplayed its importance in negotiations to form the next government. In fact I'm wondering where the leadership is in the LibDems. Apart from Cable, that is.Francis Sedgemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12310279298255158895noreply@blogger.com