An Unfortunate Misunderstanding

[poliphilo]

"There were some people, particularly around the height of the Iraq war, who gave up on the Labour Party and turned to the Liberal Democrats as a sort of left-wing conscience of the Labour Party.  I totally understand that some of these people are not happy with what the Lib Dems are doing in coalition with the Conservatives. The Lib Dems never were and aren't a receptacle for left-wing dissatisfaction with the Labour Party. There is no future for that; there never was."  

                                                                     Nick Clegg.

I was one of those people. More fool me. I just wish Nick Clegg had told me all this a little earlier. That way I wouldn't have embarrassed either of us by giving him my unwanted support.

Comments

[ibid.livejournal.com]

But if he'd gone into coalition with labour wouldn't he have said the same thing about the other side?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Of course he would. As the papers have been reminding us this morning he said some savage things about David Cameron during the election campaign.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

I am shocked, SHOCKED, to learn that a career politician might misrepresent his position for political gain. Doesn't make you feel any less used, though, does it?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Clegg was faced with a threeway choice. He could form a coalition with Labour, or with the Tories or refuse both and let David Cameron try and run a minority government. He choose coalition with the Tories- because it was the best offer on the table. he's now in the position of trying to sell Tory policies to his party membership- most of whom are on the left.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

I suppose it's possible to pity Clegg, for the uncomfortable position in which he has placed himself, but I cannot imagine how.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

His party conference has just engaged itself to lobby against the education policy of the coalition government. Interesting times.

None of the choices Clegg was faced with were safe. He's now going to have to prove himself a consummate ducker and diver or else go down in flames.

[michaleen.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the insights.

[burkesworks.livejournal.com]

The big question remains, though, "where else is there to go?" None of the Labour leadership hopefuls (save Diane, who won't win) fill me with confidence. Truth be known I'm hoping for a split in the LibDems by which we can divest ourself of Clegg, Alexander and the other "market" liberals.

That way I wouldn't have embarrassed either of us by giving him my unwanted support.

If any good was to come out of that, at least it meant you didn't vote for the racist Woolas, a man manifestly unfit for the party of Bevan and Keir Hardie.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Woolas won anyway- though I suppose he may yet be unseated, which would be fun.