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Government risks civil unrest over pensions
New Party sympathises with expenses backlash MPs
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Precisely
The abdication of leadership
Rebuilding communities
The loser tendency
The United Nations: what moral authority?
How to banish cynicism
The Chancellor's iron grip - on power
British politics: Is it dead yet?

Monday, September 22, 2008

Lib Dems see the light too late.

The Liberal Democrats have had a quiet time of it lately. Nick Clegg's leadership has been bereft of disaster, though not of gaffes. It has, however, been short on inspiration and publicity.

Last week's Bournemouth conference was therefore an important milestone for Clegg. He celebrated his first autumn conference as leader by securing conference approval for what amounts to a U-turn on taxation. Whereas previously the Lib Dems have always been seen as a high tax party, though high mindedly regarding themselves as a "fair tax" party, henceforth we are to view them as a tax-cutting party.

Of course we can only regard this as A Good Thing in general terms. The overall significance of the move depends on other factors.

First of all, will the activists put up with it, for any length of time? The Lib Dems are notoriously left wing for a nominally liberal party - and although this does seem to be a genuine shift back towards liberalism and away from social democracy, you have to ask - are their hearts in it?

Secondly, what difference will it make in practical terms? The Lib Dems are as far away from government as ever, and the likelihood is that the stuffing they receive at the hands of the electorate next time will be exceeded in magnitude only by the destruction wrought upon the Labour Party.

Thirdly, with the global financial crisis devouring banks on a daily basis throughout the Lib Dem conference, it must be said, sadly, that demanding tax cuts right now does appear to be ignoring some unpleasant and immediate realities.

Full marks for effort though.

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Lib Dems see the light too late.