I watched the comings and goings of the negotiating teams yesterday – like everyone else. Not much given away in terms of what the real substance and/or sticking points of any arrangement with the Conservatives might be.
Outside of the evident desire on all sides to make sure the markets don’t take fright I spent the day wondering how we, Liberal Democrats, would resolve a dilemma which sees us pretty much between the devil and the deep blue sea.
There is no question in my mind that Nick Clegg was right during the election to say that the party with the greatest number of votes and seats would have the right to try and form a government first. Respect for democracy must come first otherwise it would make a mockery of the election. But how to square a circle on which so much depends will not be easy.
Whilst narrow party interest cannot hold sway over national interest – it is clear to me that changing the electoral system is in the national interest too. When a country manages to deliver a hung parliament under a first past the post system – that is a cry from the heart for a democracy where votes count.
Labour offer this carrot from their deathbed from a position of such weakness that the offer is virtually untenable. If they had not been so blown away with their success in ’97 – that would have been the right moment in history to change politics for good. But with a huge majority – their heads grew so big they forgot about progressive politics – and now we are where we are.
Labour lost the election. The Conservatives didn’t win it outright. And Liberal Democrats’ burgeoning hopes of demonstrating that the brief upwelling of those who would vote Liberal Democrat under a different system were dashed as the establishment waters closed over our heads.
The only thing that is certain as I write – is that none of these decisions will be easy and there will be no perfect answer.
Lynne Featherstone 
I think Nick played a blinder. Deputy PM, 5 cabinet seats. If we do ever get proper STV PR then there is a strong chance that coalitions will be the rule, rather than the exception. There is no reason that the LibDems can’t go into a Lib/Lab coalition after future elections. This does not align the party with the left or the right. The point is that the LibDems are getting policies through that would otherwise be sidelined as those of the “third party”.
JCP- you’ve missed the point. The LibDems will be totally compromised- 4 cabinet posts do not present an opportunity for sufficient influence as we’re beginning to find out now as the news breaks; on Europe, Trident & Mansion tax for starters.
The only Tory ‘concessions’ are the chump change on their list of concerns.
The last comments on this thread revolve around the issues we voted on and believed in, otherwise what was the point in Clegg’s ‘My personal guarantee’? On your terms, it should have been termed ‘My personal fudge, pending the constraints imposed when we choose to prop up the Tories’
Nick wrote – what was the point in Clegg’s ‘My personal guarantee’? On your terms, it should have been termed ‘My personal fudge, pending the constraints imposed when we choose to prop up the Tories’
The only way his pledge was going to be implemented in full was to win an outright majority. A compromise was inevitable in any coalition – some policies will win out and others will not. Time will tell if they are chump change. It is too early to pass judgement. A vote on AV and fixed-term elections are a good start.
Far be it from me to suggest that people need to get real.
But consider this, if Nick Clegg has been offered the Deputy Prime Minister, and takes on the Harriet Harman role of leader of the house, then he is going to be in control of not only reform of expenses, but also the timetable of legislation.
This is a significant role in politics – and a sign that the Tories are genuinely engaged with an alliance.
The idea that this is not a progressive move is simply bonkers.
Sure people can wave banners and indulge in student politics but the reality is that Labour has not been a progressive government – ID cards, endless databases, prison as the solution for failures of social policy, illegal foriegn wars – not to mention the culture of bullying that has resulted in thugs and spinless light-weights in the cabinet.
Either the Lib Dems are a serious political party or they are more interested in failure and the luxury of fantasy politics.
In answer to the last question: Yes! Rather nothing at all than propping up a racist, anti-immigrant, anti-europe, anti-women, anti-homosexual etc etc etc Tory party…..
I am actually very worried about the economy which is why Vince Cable being put into a subordinate position to George Osborne is rather horrifiying.
I’m only just realising how bad this is. Thank you, Lynne, for selling us down river. What have you done? I can’t vote for you again.
If, as it seems, the Liberal Democrats have thrown PR under the bus to run headlong into the arms of a regressive Tory party – then so be it.
The only party with realistic policies on law and order, immigration, taxes, nuclear weapons, biggest commitment to green issues and a commitment to PR has been consumed in a lust for power with the promise of some minor tax code changes and ministerial limos.
I’ve voted Liberal_Democrat on and off for some years – including the last twice in the General Election in this constituency, and i can only say that i honestly don’t believe that can ever happen again now.
I would like to offer you my personal support and congratulations upon becoming part of the government. There was no alternative for the LibDems. Financial stability and respect for democracy had to come first, and you chose a deal which promised these foundation stones.
I was brought up on Labour Party values but over the years have seen them eroded. Labour policies may have looked good on paper, but they were worthless and even cruel when they did not deliver in reality. Look at the £750,000 Brown’s government gave to NHS Haringey to be distributed for carers to have much needed breaks. Brown’s government never bothered to ringfence it, NHS Haringey ignored their instructions and, two years on, carers have still not had a penny from this fund towards their breaks.
I note that Cameron has promised that the elderly and the frail will be helped in your new coalition government. I am optimistic therefore that you will use your new position to ensure that our carers now receive their rightful breaks!
Just read the coalition plans – no guarantee on trident, Tories will still support tax breaks for married couples, Lib Dems not allowed to promote pro-Euro policies…Vince Cable SUBORDINATE to George Osbourne!!!
What exactly have the LD’s gained? Where can LD principles be itdentified in these plans? And where are the women in the Cabinet?
I am appalled – this is a black day for the Lib Dems.
Unbelievable. Tories can’t win here?. You have lost my vote and also many people in the area. It would have been better not to suck up to any of the parties and keep your integrity. How many policies have been sold up the river for a little bit of power?
A dreadful shame as your hypocritical party will never be taken seriously any more.
I feel sad that Labour ducked so badly and left Clegg with no where to go. I think those of us who are party members now need to discuss strategy in terms of how we can help the Lib Dems in parliament to truely influence policy and at least stop the extremes of Tory policy. However I am not sure I will be able to vote Lib Dem again as I feel that the PR issue had to be an absolute sticking point. Getting some power was not worth loosing that possibility. If it was not a possibility then I think we had to say we could not make a coalition but what is done is done.
I have wild ideas that we could issue anyone who wanted it with a sticker that they could spoil their referendum ballot paper with which said something like: I wish to vote for the Single Transferable Vote system. I believe that the number of spoiled ballots would have to be decalred and how they had been spoiled and this way…..!!! Just a wild thought however!
My comments on this website seem to have disappeared. Anyone know where they have gone?
I’m very reluctant to think I’ve been censored, but all my comments on this website appear to have been removed.
I think I’ve found them – hiding away. So no censorship on this site (unlike on a certain other local forum)
By the way, Lynne’s gone very quiet. Not like her!
Come on Lynne, tell us what you think about supporting a Tory government.
We’re dying to know!
I think that Nick Clegg did well and honoured his word. So, has Cameron to be fair. Both men did what their old guard would never have done and compromised for the sake of the country. I’m pleased that we now have a whole new generation in charge after all those years with the Boomers running things. As the Independent predicted last week (http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/jonathan-pontell-cleggs-rise-is-the-sound-of-generation-jones-clearing-its-throat-1961191.html) “the torch has been passed” from the Boomers to Generation Jones.
Isn’t one of the reasons people bash the libs and don’t vote for them is their lack of experience in government? Surely this opportunity was far too good to throw away, they have got more concessions than they have dreamed of and now have a chance to prove to the doubters (like me) that they can actually do it.
Would have been mad to throw away the chance.
And rereading the posts think some of you need to rejoin the real world. Fifty odd MPs?! Without sounding rude you are in cloud cuckoo land thinking you would have got anything. Treat it like a job interview – or a temp to perm jop!!
Many of us waverers are tempt to vote libdem but in the end we don’t – they are just a tactical option, they have no experience, disorganised rabble etc
This the most amazing opportunity you’ve had in what 70 years? Grab it and run with it – don’t moan! Would you seriously prefer to be a marginal party only twice the size of the nutters and nationalists or actually be in government?