The Road to Downing St

[Robbie]

I thought he'd redeemed himself. I'm prepared to be proved wrong (have no love for him).

[jakswan]

I watched Marr and felt Adams gave a open honest interview and credit to Corbyn that he was telling Sinn Fien to start talking, although the IRA was infested with British Agents by the end.

After watching Vince Cable I also started to think the Libdems are the only sane ones left. i disagree with them on Brexit but at least they are very clear about their position and policy.

[floo]

I watched Marr and felt Adams gave a open honest interview and credit to Corbyn that he was telling Sinn Fien to start talking, although the IRA was infested with British Agents by the end.

After watching Vince Cable I also started to think the Libdems are the only sane ones left. i disagree with them on Brexit but at least they are very clear about their position and policy.

It is a shame the Lib Dems have fallen off their twigs so badly, they are hardly there at all. We used to vote Lib Dem at one time.

[Harrowby Hall]

It is a shame the Lib Dems have fallen off their twigs so badly, they are hardly there at all.

Would you like to elaborate, Floo? How have they "fallen off their twigs"?

My impression - for what it's worth - is that there have been two factors in the apparent decline of the LibDems.

1 Some passionate LibDem supporters were appalled that they went into coalition with Conservatives. The part's "purity" was thus defiled.

2 Nick Clegg gave a promise that student fees would be abolished.

My own view is that, in the first instance, this (a) provided the party with a valuable experience of political power and (b) did - to some extent - modify the activities of their Conservative partners. As the considerably smaller partner the LibDem's ability to influence policy was restricted. In the second instance, well, not achievable  for a reason just mentioned.

[floo]

It is a shame the Lib Dems have fallen off their twigs so badly, they are hardly there at all.

Would you like to elaborate, Floo? How have they "fallen off their twigs"?

My impression - for what it's worth - is that there have been two factors in the apparent decline of the LibDems.

1 Some passionate LibDem supporters were appalled that they went into coalition with Conservatives. The part's "purity" was thus defiled.

2 Nick Clegg gave a promise that student fees would be abolished.

My own view is that, in the first instance, this (a) provided the party with a valuable experience of political power and (b) did - to some extent - modify the activities of their Conservative partners. As the considerably smaller partner the LibDem's ability to influence policy was restricted. In the second instance, well, not achievable  for a reason just mentioned.

There are only 12 Lib Dem MPs, when they used to field much larger numbers. Farron didn't do their cause any good at all, imo. Let's hope Cable can give them a boost in popularity.

[Robbie]

Little Roses:- Farron didn't do their cause any good at all, imo. Let's hope Cable can give them a boost in popularity.

Agree with you about Farron, he was embarrassingly stupid. I like Vince Cable.

[floo]

Little Roses:- Farron didn't do their cause any good at all, imo. Let's hope Cable can give them a boost in popularity.

Agree with you about Farron, he was embarrassingly stupid. I like Vince Cable.

Vince Cable, as a tried and tested politician, is the best hope the Lib Dems have of coming out of the doldrums and making an impact on Parliament again.

[Aruntraveller]

Vince Cable, as a tried and tested politician, is the best hope the Lib Dems have of coming out of the doldrums and making an impact on Parliament again.

I can't see it myself. I have nothing particularly against him but he just doesn't convince me as being capable of anything much. But then none of the current leaders of the Labour, Conservatives or Libdems convince me, so it may just be a general sense of ennui I am suffering from.

[floo]

I can't see it myself. I have nothing particularly against him but he just doesn't convince me as being capable of anything much. But then none of the current leaders of the Labour, Conservatives or Libdems convince me, so it may just be a general sense of ennui I am suffering from.

I think many of us are suffering from it too.

[Nearly Sane]

And after months of incompetence from the govt, they are ahead in the polls.

[SteveH]

The guilt by low degree of separation was tried by the press at the last election and found wanting.
Even less people will remember Mr Adams at the next

Fewer. Most people have more sense than to believe the Daily Hate-mail's hysteria. I think St Jeremy of Corbyn will be the next P.M.

[floo]

Fewer. Most people have more sense than to believe the Daily Hate-mail's hysteria. I think St Jeremy of Corbyn will be the next P.M.

I hope not, I don't think he would make a suitable PM.

[SteveH]

I hope not, I don't think he would make a suitable PM.

Why not?

[floo]

Why not?

He is too leftie and pretty wishy wash as well.

[Aruntraveller]

He is too leftie and pretty wishy wash as well.

That's todays in depth political analysis for you Steve.

[floo]

That's todays in depth political analysis for you Steve.

Yep!  

[SteveH]

That's todays in depth political analysis for you Steve.

Fairly par for the LR course!

[SteveH]

Little Roses:- Farron didn't do their cause any good at all, imo. Let's hope Cable can give them a boost in popularity.

Agree with you about Farron, he was embarrassingly stupid. I like Vince Cable.

Farron is a decent, principled bloke, who (eventually) put principle before ambition, for which he deserves respect, even if, like me, you disagree with the principle in question.

[SteveH]

How can St Jeremy be both too lefty and too wishy-wash[y] at the same time?

[Nearly Sane]

How can St Jeremy be both too lefty and too wishy-wash[y] at the same time?

Because they are two different 'failings'  in LR's view? So she would like a strong centrist politician?

[floo]

Because they are two different 'failings'  in LR's view? So she would like a strong centrist politician?

I prefer someone with moderate views, who is neither left or right. The Lib Dems used to do it for my husband and I until they became a busted flush, that guy Farron did them no favours at all, imo.

[SteveH]

I prefer someone with moderate views, who is neither left or right. The Lib Dems used to do it for my husband and I until they became a busted flush, that guy Farron did them no favours at all, imo.

So you prefer someone wishy-washy, which is why you claim to dislike JC!

[floo]

So you prefer someone wishy-washy, which is why you claim to dislike JC!

They weren't wishy washy at one time, imo.

[Nearly Sane]

I prefer someone with moderate views, who is neither left or right. The Lib Dems used to do it for my husband and I until they became a busted flush, that guy Farron did them no favours at all, imo.

Yes, that was what I was suggesting. I think SteveH is seeing wishy washy as a synonym for centrist )neither left or right). I am suggesting instead that you are using it to describe leadership style rather than views?

[Humph Warden Bennett]

It is a shame the Lib Dems have fallen off their twigs so badly, they are hardly there at all.

Would you like to elaborate, Floo? How have they "fallen off their twigs"?

My impression - for what it's worth - is that there have been two factors in the apparent decline of the LibDems.

1 Some passionate LibDem supporters were appalled that they went into coalition with Conservatives. The part's "purity" was thus defiled.

2 Nick Clegg gave a promise that student fees would be abolished.

My own view is that, in the first instance, this (a) provided the party with a valuable experience of political power and (b) did - to some extent - modify the activities of their Conservative partners. As the considerably smaller partner the LibDem's ability to influence policy was restricted. In the second instance, well, not achievable  for a reason just mentioned.

If the Lib Dems had refused the offer of a coalition, they would have been castigated as being cowards who wanted to shout from the sidelines rather than responsible people ready to take awkward decisions.

FTR I would like to see a Lib Dem revival, hopefully it will begin with this years local elections.