Star comment: Make or break for Lib Dems
Nick Clegg is calling for a wealth tax, the sort of thing that would play well if the Lib Dems were in opposition during a recession in which the less well off are having a hard time and could do with some champions.
Vince Cable is launching a business bank to help reinvigorate the economy.
It all sounds like mature politics and policy-making from a party which has much to offer the voters.
Alas for the Lib Dems, they have a serious problem. And that is that nobody is taking them seriously.
Nick Clegg is an object of ridicule, dangerously close to being a laughing stock. The pop ditty using his “I’m so sorry” apology for his student loans promise is merely a symptom of the way he is now regarded.
In the run up to the general election, he was the blue-eyed boy of British politics, doing well in the polls and seemingly a hope for the future. In office, he is a shrunken, haunted, hounded figure, leading a party which is now, in some polls, trailing behind UKIP.
Vince Cable commands more respect as a man who has proven prescient. He has been an outspoken rebel, which has its attractive qualities, but would not make him a safe pair of hands if the Lib Dems thought it expedient to push Mr Clegg under a bus.
The Lib Dems’ party conference is make or break for them. They were offered, and chose to accept, the most difficult hand in the modern political era – that of being in office, but not in power, and in office with a Conservative Party with whom they share minimal common ground.
Mr Clegg has an uphill task. He has to give voters a compelling reason why they should vote for him and his party, or face a return to the days when the Parliamentary Liberal Party could all fit in a phone box.
Comments for: "Star comment: Make or break for Lib Dems"
Roger
Speaking as an ex Lib Dem voter I have great sympathy for there position. I believed that coalition government would moderate the action of extreme politics of both sides but it did not. I believed that the coalition would allow the Lib Dem's to at least get some of their policies through but it did not. The electorate are forced to conclude that no matter what Lib Dems say they a most unlikely to be able to deliver anything. That means the end of the party in Westminster because a vote for them is nothing more than a protest vote against both the other parties.
I don't think they entered the coalition with this situation in mind, but that is the outcome and making new promises that they can't deliver is a complete waste of time. They have only once swayed power in modern times and that was a arrangement with Labour where there was no Labour majority. That is unlikely to repeat it's self because the Tories have now assured us of a Labour landslide just to get rid of the Tories.
Bill
Sadly, it seems whilst the Lib Dems and some elements of the Tory party are prepared to be reasonable, negotiate and make compromises there are still far too many Tory backbenchers (and certain ministers) who believe that 'might is right' and behave as if there is a Tory majority, not a coalition.
What they don't realise is that as Roger so rightly says, all they are doing is ensuring a Labour majority in 2015 which will be followed by swingeing taxes on them and their big business/City chums, probably the re-nationalisation of the railways, the removal of private companies from the NHS etc etc - all things dear to Tory hearts. These Tories are committing political suicide!
It's just a shame the naivety of the Lib Dems means that some genuinely caring MPs will end up as collateral casualties.
Unless of course Cameron sacks Osborne and appoints a Lib Dem...... but pigs might fly!
Doubter
Vince Cable is launching a business bank, a bank again funded by the TAX payer to the tune of £1billion, may work as some new businesses will succeed others wont, as soon as it turns a profit it will be sold off.. back to erm the TAX payers.
Double whammys.
I voted Libdems at the last election never again will i vote for a Tory goverment.