NationStates Jolt Archive

I just wondered what, on a predominantly left wing forum, everyone thinks of the Liberal Democrat party (the UK political party). I still find it surprising that with the Conservative and Labour parties looking so similar, the Lib Dems don't have more of a following. Perhaps the UK is just generally right wing?

I voted Lib Dem in the last election. They came third in my constituency. :( Unfortunately, at least in my experience, people tend to choose a party early in their lives and stick with it even if their policies change radically. For example, my mum votes Labour, and always will vote Labour, because she doesn't understand that they've changed policies so radically in the last decade.

I do think the UK is predominantly right-wing, but I think there's more to it than that. The Lib Dems just haven't had an inspiring leader or the ability in their cabinet; which just leads to people ignoring what they say, no matter how much sense it makes.

I do think the UK is predominantly right-wing, but I think there's more to it than that. The Lib Dems just haven't had an inspiring leader or the ability in their cabinet; which just leads to people ignoring what they say, no matter how much sense it makes.

So what do you think of Menzies Campbell? Is he Prime Minister material?

So what do you think of Menzies Campbell? Is he Prime Minister material?
Frankly, no.

So what do you think of Menzies Campbell? Is he Prime Minister material?


Yep. I used to have him in my sig.

Ming the Merciless for PM!

Yep. I used to have him in my sig.

Ming the Merciless for PM!
Really? I don't think he's a strong enough public speaker.

The lib dems are also riped off by the 'first past the post' voting system we have and the scandles.

For example, my mum votes Labour, and always will vote Labour, because she doesn't understand that they've changed policies so radically in the last decade.

Yes. they turned into the consevative party so quikly you didn't notice it.

The problem with the Lib Dems is that they went totally overboard with Charles Kennedy and his drink problem.

They were ruthless...not supportive.

So they shot themsleves in the foot.

The Lib Dems do well in local elections but I really do not see them ever gaining power and entering No 10.

New Liebur and the Cons are no better either...I really am thinking of lending my support to the Monster Raving Loony Party (Official).

Really? I don't think he's a strong enough public speaker.

That's alright. I don't want another firebrand, really.

Labour wants to liberate the childmolesters that rape your kids.
The Tories want to empower hoodies and yobbies that kill your kids.
So what's so bad about Charlie Kennedy consentually shagging another fellow?

The problem with the Lib Dems is that they went totally overboard with Charles Kennedy and his drink problem.

They were ruthless...not supportive.

So they shot themsleves in the foot.

The Lib Dems do well in local elections but I really do not see them ever gaining power and entering No 10.

New Liebur and the Cons are no better either...I really am thinking of lending my support to the Monster Raving Loony Party (Official).
Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Mr. Kennedy. In dumping him, they dumped the strongest leader the Lib Dems had had for sixty years. Under his leadership the UK almost acted as a three-party system in parliament. Since he was removed, the Lib Dems have once again began to suffer.

I sincerely hope they restore him as leader once he gets over his drinking problems.

What worries me is talk within the party that they have reaped all the benefits of their left wing stance, and are considering going back to their traditional centrist position.

I've never understood the point of this political whoring, so practised in the UK. Surely the aim of a political party is to promote their ideals and create legislation based on them, not just to get into power at all costs. I also agree that the Lib Dems, unfortunately, don't have much of a chance of doing this anyway.

The Tories want to empower hoodies and yobbies that kill your kids.


not empower. just hug.

not empower. just hug.

Same thing from my POV.

You are either commited to eradicating the creeps out of our country -
OR you are part of the problem.

What worries me is talk within the party that they have reaped all the benefits of their left wing stance, and are considering going back to their traditional centrist position.

I've never understood the point of this political whoring, so practised in the UK. Surely the aim of a political party is to promote their ideals and create legislation based on them, not just to get into power at all costs. I also agree that the Lib Dems, unfortunately, don't have much of a chance of doing this anyway.

Ah, legislative power is like, derived from being in power?

Ah, legislative power is like, derived from being in power?

True, but it means the party is no longer true to it's ideals and cannot propose the legislation it should be. Surely it's better to be merely influential but not some sort of centrist New Labour/Conservative clone?

Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Mr. Kennedy. In dumping him, they dumped the strongest leader the Lib Dems had had for sixty years. Under his leadership the UK almost acted as a three-party system in parliament. Since he was removed, the Lib Dems have once again began to suffer.

I sincerely hope they restore him as leader once he gets over his drinking problems.

I really don't see Kennedy getting back in...had his party supported him he could have claimed some moral high ground...but his party canned him and that is the worst of the 'knife in the back' scenarios.

The momnet he speaks as leader of the Lib Dems in the House of Commons he will get ripped to shreds.

And Ming...nice bloke that he is....is about as effectual as a chocolate fire extinguisher.

True, but it means the party is no longer true to it's ideals and cannot propose the legislation it should be. Surely it's better to be merely influential but not some sort of centrist New Labour/Conservative clone?


My democratic ideals revolve around Government that does what the people want it to do -
and not people thinking what political leaders want them to think.

As Democrats, we represent popular will - and refrain from trying to play-act at being the Holy Spirit onto the People.

In conclusion: vox populi vox dei.

I really don't see Kennedy getting back in...had his party supported him he could have claimed some moral high ground...but his party canned him and that is the worst of the 'knife in the back' scenarios.

The momnet he speaks as leader of the Lib Dems in the House of Commons he will get ripped to shreds.

And Ming...nice bloke that he is....is about as effectual as a chocolate fire extinguisher.

I agree completely. Especially as he no longer has an equally useless Tory to contend with, but instead David Cameron, who I fear will win the next general election.

I agree completely. Especially as he no longer has an equally useless Tory to contend with, but instead David Cameron, who I fear will win the next general election.

Cameron will be as usefull as Blair. I do not see the Tories winning though...its going to be another New Liebur government :(

Camerons biggest problem is that he is still trying to be all things to all people...and that does not work.

My democratic ideals revolve around Government that does what the people want it to do -
and not people thinking what political leaders want them to think.

As Democrats, we represent popular will - and refrain from trying to play-act at being the Holy Spirit onto the People.

In conclusion: vox populi vox dei.

Surely you can't be saying having three centrist parties with broadly the same political ideals is good for democracy?

Also, the democrat in Liberal Democrat is not generally considered as important as the liberal. It is there purely because the Lib Dem party was made by a merging of the Liberal Party and the Social Democrat Party. The Social Liberal party would better reflect the Lib Dems current ideology.

Cameron will be as usefull as Blair. I do not see the Tories winning though...its going to be another New Liebur government :(

Camerons biggest problem is that he is still trying to be all things to all people...and that does not work.

I hope you're right, even with the converging viewpoints, I would still rather see Gordon Brown in power than David Cameron.

Camerons biggest problem is that he is still trying to be all things to all people...and that does not work.

seemed to work quite well for Blair.

Surely you can't be saying having three centrist parties with broadly the same political ideals is good for democracy?

Also, the democrat in Liberal Democrat is not generally considered as important as the liberal. It is there purely because the Lib Dem party was made by a merging of the Liberal Party and the Social Democrat Party. The Social Liberal party would better reflect the Lib Dems current ideology.


Referring to the political compass diagram, I must say that I consider any person who strays beyond the square made by the points (5,5), (-5,5), (-5,-5) and (5,-5) as a disgrace to humanity.

So yes, I don't really think that non-centrist parties should exist in the first place.

I just wondered what, on a forum, everyone thinks of the pants. I still find it surprising that with the dying cats and college parties looking so similar, the giant flaming monkeys don't have more of a following. Perhaps the Big Red is just generally spicy?

What? I don't get it.

Referring to the political compass diagram, I must say that I consider any person who strays beyond the square made by the points (5,5), (-5,5), (-5,-5) and (5,-5) as a disgrace to humanity.

So yes, I don't really think that non-centrist parties should exist in the first place.

Uhh... Well... Firstly I would like to say that I am just about within your box.... Secondly, are you American, British or somewhere else? Knowing that makes it much easier to know where you are coming from politically.

What? I don't get it.

Umm... British political parties.

Uhh... Well... Firstly I would like to say that I am just about within your box.... Secondly, are you American, British or somewhere else? Knowing that makes it much easier to know where you are coming from politically.


I'm an immigrant in the UK.
One who is very happy to do his best to assimilate.
I assume you know where the North Riding is, ye soft southern git you! ;)

I hope you're right, even with the converging viewpoints, I would still rather see Gordon Brown in power than David Cameron.

Gordon Brown has the personality of a wet fish. I also think that the rest of the New Liebur movement do not want him in power.

The problem is that all our main parties are peddling the same crap...and there really is no proper Opposition which is crucial to our system of government.

I'd also say that we are still coming to terms with the change from collective responsibility in the cabinet to blame games with civil servants.

seemed to work quite well for Blair.

You are right. I should have qualified my statement by adding that it does not work when you have the Rev Smiler (Blair) doing the samething and doing it better.

I am now going to vomit.

sorry.

My democratic ideals revolve around Government that does what the people want it to do -
and not people thinking what political leaders want them to think.

As Democrats, we represent popular will - and refrain from trying to play-act at being the Holy Spirit onto the People.


Don't you think that considering it is virtually impossible for a party to represent everyones best interest, the first alternative is to have multiple parties representing different viewpoints, and let the people decide which they prefer?

I think this would be a vast improvement on the current situation, where a significant portion of the population has no-one they can happily vote for.

Gordon Brown has the personality of a wet fish. I also think that the rest of the New Liebur movement do not want him in power.

The problem is that all our main parties are peddling the same crap...and there really is no proper Opposition which is crucial to our system of government.

Again I broadly agree, but I would rather have the wet fish Brown in power than the slimy bastard Cameron. (Just my opinion)

Again I broadly agree, but I would rather have the wet fish Brown in power than the slimy bastard Cameron. (Just my opinion)

And one I can agree with in regards to Cameron...

Brown...I fear his Premiership could well be worse than Blairs.

I really miss John Smith. What a loss his death was.

I only vote to oppose the conservatives. I tend to vote labour because they are the majority where I live, but I would happily vote lib dem if I lived in opne of their constituencies. If it came down to the conservatives or the BNP, I'd probably move.

I attend a Grammar school in kentand the more time I spend with some of my 'peers' the more i dislike consevative policies. Especialt Camoran. he just seems to be a complete lie. yet these people would happily worship the ground he walks on.

I only vote to oppose the conservatives. I tend to vote labour because they are the majority where I live, but I would happily vote lib dem if I lived in opne of their constituencies. If it came down to the conservatives or the BNP, I'd probably move.

I'm lucky enough to live in a borough where the fight is between the Lib Dems and the Tories, I can vote Lib Dem with a clean conscience :)

Especialt Camoran. he just seems to be a complete lie.

Amen to that.

Can you trust a party that chucks out its most popular leader in 80 years?

Bring back Charlie Kennedy!

Again I broadly agree, but I would rather have the wet fish Brown in power than the slimy bastard Cameron. (Just my opinion)

I hate to bring up this bleeding annoying subject again (considering a new thread is made for it every 5 minutes) but can anyone tell me what Cameron thinks over the Israel-Lebanon conflict? Even he must have an opinion on this...

They threw away their best electoral asste in Charles Kennedy just when they were begining to look like a serious political party rather than a wasted "protest vote".

I am a supporter of the Liberal Democratic Party, if it wasn't for the fact that my future career commands non-partisanship, I would join the party.

I support the fact that their core value is Liberty, which is to say they are the only party that will not come out and say "youse guys, we need to redress the balance of power in our favour again, 'cos of like terrorism or something" every couple of months. People about how they waver around the economic scale, frankly, I'm not too bothered, a democratically-elected Parliament can tax me however they see fit, so long as they do not dare tell me what I can and cannot do.

It's a shame that they got rid of Kennedy, he was a pretty good politician. I'd like to see Mark Oaten make a comeback, I saw him on Question Time a while ago and he scrubs up quite nice, he's articulate and he can raise an air of authority. Although he's saying he's quitting Parliament at the end of this session. But maybe if the public forgot about his debauchery by the election after next, he could perhaps be a good leader.

I am a supporter of the Liberal Democratic Party, if it wasn't for the fact that my future career commands non-partisanship, I would join the party.

I support the fact that their core value is Liberty, which is to say they are the only party that will not come out and say "youse guys, we need to redress the balance of power in our favour again, 'cos of like terrorism or something" every couple of months. People about how they waver around the economic scale, frankly, I'm not too bothered, a democratically-elected Parliament can tax me however they see fit, so long as they do not dare tell me what I can and cannot do.

It's a shame that they got rid of Kennedy, he was a pretty good politician. I'd like to see Mark Oaten make a comeback, I saw him on Question Time a while ago and he scrubs up quite nice, he's articulate and he can raise an air of authority. Although he's saying he's quitting Parliament at the end of this session. But maybe if the public forgot about his debauchery by the election after next, he could perhaps be a good leader.

You first paragraph...

Whilst a nice thing I am far far too cynical to think that the power in #10 would not turn those wonderful values on their head. The Labour party did it to themselves so there is a precedent for the core values of a party to be hung out to dry for the sake of power.

The fact is that you are already being told what you can and cannot do. For example you cannot demonstrate out side of Westminster...and that does not even scratch the surface.

Oaten...yes I think he was dealt with harshly as well. But if you promote family values...well you live by the sword and die by it...

I just wondered what, on a predominantly left wing forum, everyone thinks of the Liberal Democrat party (the UK political party). I still find it surprising that with the Conservative and Labour parties looking so similar, the Lib Dems don't have more of a following. Perhaps the UK is just generally right wing?

I prefer a more muscular foreign policy, but as far as British political parties go, they are probably the closest to what I support. I do think that they are hamstrung by the fact that, as a practical matter, a vote for the Liberal Dems is effectively a vote for Conservatives.

How long do you reckon it will be before Ming throws in the towel? On one hand at his age he can't afford to hang around. On the other, he doesn't have pressure to win a general election like the last few Tory leaders, unless the Lib Dems perform catastrophically next election, he can just shrug it off and retain his leadership.

I hope for the party's sake that he does not.

well the lib dems are still right wing so i wouldn't vote for them even though they're less right wing than the other two. the only thing theyve got over the other two for me is that they are slightly more liberal.

I want to beat the first three letters off of New Labour. Give me back my goddamned mainstream moderate socialist party, damn you!

Therefore, living in Cambridge, I vote Lib Dem. I would vote Conservative if I lived elsewhere where it would harm Labour's chances, but I don't, so I won't.

I just wondered what, on a predominantly left wing forum, everyone thinks of the Liberal Democrat party (the UK political party). I still find it surprising that with the Conservative and Labour parties looking so similar, the Lib Dems don't have more of a following. Perhaps the UK is just generally right wing?

If theres one thing worse than a diehard capitalist it's a capitalist with a conscience.

Let em see...

Labour just prescotts on and lands itself even deeper in what proverbially hits the fan, and also Robert Kilroy Silk.

Since the leadership elections, the method employed by the Liberal Democratic Party and the C & U Party has had opposite effects. Whereas Cameron has said nothing of any consequence and become really popular, Sir Menzies has just sort of entered an obscure twilight in the political spectrum.

I don't like the Liberal Democrats. In my opinion they are pathetically wet blankets who sold peerages and got hammered as a result. Maybe the same will be true for Labour.

Oh, there was an article in the Sunday Times yesterday about a weak joke made by Sir Menzies (for the second time mind), in which he said that the Campbells have always beaten the Camerons. Dithery, old man.

I just wondered what, on a predominantly left wing forum, everyone thinks of the Liberal Democrat party (the UK political party). I still find it surprising that with the Conservative and Labour parties looking so similar, the Lib Dems don't have more of a following. Perhaps the UK is just generally right wing?
I have a generally positive opinion of the Lib Dems. They have principles that mostly agree with me and they don't sell out.

They don't have more of a following because voters don't think properly.

Seriously, a lot of anti-war Brits voted Tory last year. :rolleyes: