Amazingly, and believe me you won’t read this very often, I find myself entertained by politics; the last week (or so) has been somewhat tumultuous for our elected representatives - and it has been a joy to behold.
The UKIP advances at the local and European elections have rattled the other political parties and the discomfort of the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberals has been plain to see.
Personally I think the situation is perfect, UKIP whilst dramatically growing in status has control of nothing significant at all. Arguably this outcome is the panacea of protest voting. I can’t imagine UKIP running the country, in fact the prospect scares me, but the other politicians cannot ignore the issues (benefits and immigration) that have influenced the public vote casting.
I am almost prepared to bet money that the general election will see a more traditional outcome and that UKIP will see its advance halted or a retreat ensue.
The election process saw the BNP stripped of all representation and that’s a very good result in my opinion. The BNP is a spent political force but it is fair to say that the Liberal Democrat party is in tatters too.
In the last general election I actually voted for the Liberals; Clegg impressed me and I was keen to see political reform. It is a shame however that Clegg sold his soul in joining a coalition with the Tories and subsequently abandoning his principles. The U turn on university tuition fees was shocking (and incensed me) and the failure to see through proportional representation or alternative voting was disappointing.
The Liberal party is facing the political wilderness again; Nick Clegg is looking weak and is facing calls for his resignation. In some respects it’s a real shame because Clegg is bright, articulate and multilingual and comes across as a genuine, reasonable, decent kind of a fellow; in others it’s to be expected because the failure of his party to solicit votes is his ultimate responsibility.
Tony Blair of all people had the following to say:
"I don't want to damage him by saying this, but over the past few years he (Nick Clegg) has actually shown quite a lot of leadership and courage.
"But the problem they (the Liberals) have is very simple. They fought the 2010 election on a platform significantly to the left of Labour and then ended up in a Conservative government with a platform significantly to the right of Labour... that is the problem the Lib Dems have and there is not really a cure for that."
He’s right too.
The next general election is approaching and my money is on Cameron and the blues - Ed Miliband is inadequate, Clegg is history, Farage isn’t even an MP.
Blog Home
Blog Library
Home
The UKIP advances at the local and European elections have rattled the other political parties and the discomfort of the leaders of the Conservatives, Labour and the Liberals has been plain to see.
Personally I think the situation is perfect, UKIP whilst dramatically growing in status has control of nothing significant at all. Arguably this outcome is the panacea of protest voting. I can’t imagine UKIP running the country, in fact the prospect scares me, but the other politicians cannot ignore the issues (benefits and immigration) that have influenced the public vote casting.
I am almost prepared to bet money that the general election will see a more traditional outcome and that UKIP will see its advance halted or a retreat ensue.
The election process saw the BNP stripped of all representation and that’s a very good result in my opinion. The BNP is a spent political force but it is fair to say that the Liberal Democrat party is in tatters too.
In the last general election I actually voted for the Liberals; Clegg impressed me and I was keen to see political reform. It is a shame however that Clegg sold his soul in joining a coalition with the Tories and subsequently abandoning his principles. The U turn on university tuition fees was shocking (and incensed me) and the failure to see through proportional representation or alternative voting was disappointing.
The Liberal party is facing the political wilderness again; Nick Clegg is looking weak and is facing calls for his resignation. In some respects it’s a real shame because Clegg is bright, articulate and multilingual and comes across as a genuine, reasonable, decent kind of a fellow; in others it’s to be expected because the failure of his party to solicit votes is his ultimate responsibility.
Tony Blair of all people had the following to say:
"I don't want to damage him by saying this, but over the past few years he (Nick Clegg) has actually shown quite a lot of leadership and courage.
"But the problem they (the Liberals) have is very simple. They fought the 2010 election on a platform significantly to the left of Labour and then ended up in a Conservative government with a platform significantly to the right of Labour... that is the problem the Lib Dems have and there is not really a cure for that."
He’s right too.
The next general election is approaching and my money is on Cameron and the blues - Ed Miliband is inadequate, Clegg is history, Farage isn’t even an MP.
Blog Home
Blog Library
Home
RSS Feed
