Lib Dems who don't like the Coalition
Discussion
Something's been bothering me for a while.
I was listening to some Lib Dem (Bob something) on R4 today objecting to something the Coalition were planning. His sentiments were broadly that he didn't join the Lib Dems to be in a coalition with the Tories. I've heard exactly this opinion from a number of Lib Dems since the election, and I understand a 'rebel faction' is starting to coalesce around Chatshow Charlie. What I don't understand is this:
1. The Lib Dems have zero chance, under any electoral system, of forming a government on their own, so electoral success for them is being part of a coalition.
2. Active members of the party must know this, and yet some (most?) are clearly uncomfortable with allying themselves with the Tories.
3. As this leaves Labour as the only desirable coalition partner, why do these people not simply join the Labour Party instead?
I was listening to some Lib Dem (Bob something) on R4 today objecting to something the Coalition were planning. His sentiments were broadly that he didn't join the Lib Dems to be in a coalition with the Tories. I've heard exactly this opinion from a number of Lib Dems since the election, and I understand a 'rebel faction' is starting to coalesce around Chatshow Charlie. What I don't understand is this:
1. The Lib Dems have zero chance, under any electoral system, of forming a government on their own, so electoral success for them is being part of a coalition.
2. Active members of the party must know this, and yet some (most?) are clearly uncomfortable with allying themselves with the Tories.
3. As this leaves Labour as the only desirable coalition partner, why do these people not simply join the Labour Party instead?
Because they may think that the party is being drawn into something no one really agreed with , just for the sake of being in power.
I should think many libdems are agreeing with the conservatives not because they believe in what they are doing but just to make sure that they keep the job.This could be viceversa with some conservatives mps
To be fair , libdems didnt have a plan, they are just on a learning curve
I should think many libdems are agreeing with the conservatives not because they believe in what they are doing but just to make sure that they keep the job.This could be viceversa with some conservatives mps
To be fair , libdems didnt have a plan, they are just on a learning curve
grumbledoak said:
He's deluded. The LibDems won't get power alone in the near future. The people voted to be rid of Labour, but weren't convinced by Cameron. Coalition is their only hope.
He must be angling for something personal to try staging a revolt.
To be fair Cameron won more votes in absolute numbers that Tony Blair won at the previous election, it's just the constituencies are gerrymandered in Labours favour, particularly in Scotland, where there is IIRC an MP representing something like 14k people as opposed to say the Isle of White with 60K.He must be angling for something personal to try staging a revolt.
As for the Lib-Dem malcontents, IMO they're are a number who don't like being in power, as that means responsibility rather than sniping from the comfort of opposition where you can promise the moon and stars, but never have to deliver.
By helping to keep out the failed, discredited and electorally rejected former government, the LibDems stood by one of the few core principles they have. For a party which has long campaigned on their perception that our electoral system fails to represent the wishes of the electorate to have formed a coalition of losers would have made them unprincipled hypocrites.
Actually, I think that the Lib/Con coalition with the conservatives in the driving seat might just be the best possible outcome given what needs to be done and how it needs to be done with a little sensitivity.
Actually, I think that the Lib/Con coalition with the conservatives in the driving seat might just be the best possible outcome given what needs to be done and how it needs to be done with a little sensitivity.
rudecherub said:
grumbledoak said:
He's deluded. The LibDems won't get power alone in the near future. The people voted to be rid of Labour, but weren't convinced by Cameron. Coalition is their only hope.
He must be angling for something personal to try staging a revolt.
To be fair Cameron won more votes in absolute numbers that Tony Blair won at the previous election, it's just the constituencies are gerrymandered in Labours favour, particularly in Scotland, where there is IIRC an MP representing something like 14k people as opposed to say the Isle of White with 60K.He must be angling for something personal to try staging a revolt.
As for the Lib-Dem malcontents, IMO they're are a number who don't like being in power, as that means responsibility rather than sniping from the comfort of opposition where you can promise the moon and stars, but never have to deliver.
Edited by DWP on Wednesday 15th September 17:51
otolith said:
By helping to keep out the failed, discredited and electorally rejected former government, the LibDems stood by one of the few core principles they have. For a party which has long campaigned on their perception that our electoral system fails to represent the wishes of the electorate to have formed a coalition of losers would have made them unprincipled hypocrites.
Actually, I think that the Lib/Con coalition with the conservatives in the driving seat might just be the best possible outcome given what needs to be done and how it needs to be done with a little sensitivity.
^this^Actually, I think that the Lib/Con coalition with the conservatives in the driving seat might just be the best possible outcome given what needs to be done and how it needs to be done with a little sensitivity.
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