Comments on: Hughes rules himself out of contention http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:36:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: crewegwyn http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31582 crewegwyn Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:44:26 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31582 32. I'm puzzled by people (oh, alright then, Tories) like Bunny, who consider themselves sufficiently politically savvy to post on sites like this ... and then trot out the "who are these people" line. If you've never heard of Susan Kramer/ Ed Davey/ David Laws/ Julia Goldsworthy what are you doing posting on a political site ???? 32.

I’m puzzled by people (oh, alright then, Tories) like Bunny, who consider themselves sufficiently politically savvy to post on sites like this … and then trot out the “who are these people” line.

If you’ve never heard of Susan Kramer/ Ed Davey/ David Laws/ Julia Goldsworthy what are you doing posting on a political site ????

]]> By: Big Mak http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31577 Big Mak Tue, 16 Oct 2007 21:20:09 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31577 32. If thats so why waste your time writing on this site numb nuts! Tories, you gotta hate them. 32. If thats so why waste your time writing on this site numb nuts!
Tories, you gotta hate them.

]]> By: Bunnies Can And Will Go To France http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31513 Bunnies Can And Will Go To France Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:49:29 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31513 Lib Dhimm leaders are always mediocre nonentities. Face the facts, guys, your choices are always very poor because look at what you've got to work with. Some of the names mentioned here are just laughable. Susan Kramer? Danny Alexander? Who the hell <i>are</i> they? Does it really matter which of these pipsqueaks gets to be Lib Dhimm leader until shortly after the next election? Because that's what you are arguing about, you silly rabble. Your "party" is actually a franchise for thoughtless protest voting. You consist of at least three separate and intellectually dissociated factions - green, tax-and-spend, and 1970s Heathite - all of which hate each other. Why does British politics need you? Who'd miss you if you went? Lib Dhimm leaders are always mediocre nonentities. Face the facts, guys, your choices are always very poor because look at what you’ve got to work with. Some of the names mentioned here are just laughable. Susan Kramer? Danny Alexander? Who the hell are they?

Does it really matter which of these pipsqueaks gets to be Lib Dhimm leader until shortly after the next election? Because that’s what you are arguing about, you silly rabble.

Your “party” is actually a franchise for thoughtless protest voting. You consist of at least three separate and intellectually dissociated factions – green, tax-and-spend, and 1970s Heathite – all of which hate each other.

Why does British politics need you? Who’d miss you if you went?

]]> By: Iain Rubie Dale http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31503 Iain Rubie Dale Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:15:54 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31503 My mate Caron has it right on her blog http://carons-musings.blogspot.com in saying that the campaign is not long enough. I also agree with her assertion that it's a bit daft to announce the new Leader just a few days before the country shuts down for the Christmas and New Year festivities. Who in the real world will give a damn about our leader when they are all focused on the impending fortnight long piss up? My mate Caron has it right on her blog http://carons-musings.blogspot.com in saying that the campaign is not long enough. I also agree with her assertion that it’s a bit daft to announce the new Leader just a few days before the country shuts down for the Christmas and New Year festivities. Who in the real world will give a damn about our leader when they are all focused on the impending fortnight long piss up?

]]> By: Bernard Salmon http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31479 Bernard Salmon Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:59:34 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31479 26 and 27: As a constituent of Danny's, I think it's far too soon for him to consider standing (and I suspect he would agree). But don't get the idea that he's not liked in his own area - that simply isn't true, as I'm sure will be shown by his increased majority at the next general election. He is also popular with local members. 26 and 27: As a constituent of Danny’s, I think it’s far too soon for him to consider standing (and I suspect he would agree). But don’t get the idea that he’s not liked in his own area – that simply isn’t true, as I’m sure will be shown by his increased majority at the next general election. He is also popular with local members.

]]> By: Big Mak http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31471 Big Mak Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:21:00 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31471 Problem is Kenny every debate, talk, interview would end with "so Mr Kennedy are you off the booze yet?" He is a good man, and was a good leader but his personal problems are far too public for a return at the moment. I also think the tabloid press would just have a field day with him & us if he came back. Problem is Kenny every debate, talk, interview would end with “so Mr Kennedy are you off the booze yet?”
He is a good man, and was a good leader but his personal problems are far too public for a return at the moment.
I also think the tabloid press would just have a field day with him & us if he came back.

]]> By: Kenny http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31454 Kenny Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:17:46 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31454 There's only one man that is guaranteed to spark the public's interest, and that is a return to the leadership by Charles Kennedy. Don't underestimate the public loyalty that was felt for him, nor the sense of betrayal many shared at the manner of his removal. David Steel was right on the BBC tonight; Ming should have been acting leader while Kennedy sorted himself out. Westminster Liberals might have thought they had to get rid of Kennedy, but the country did not, and a lot of trust was lost as a result. There’s only one man that is guaranteed to spark the public’s interest, and that is a return to the leadership by Charles Kennedy.

Don’t underestimate the public loyalty that was felt for him, nor the sense of betrayal many shared at the manner of his removal. David Steel was right on the BBC tonight; Ming should have been acting leader while Kennedy sorted himself out. Westminster Liberals might have thought they had to get rid of Kennedy, but the country did not, and a lot of trust was lost as a result.

]]> By: Bannerman http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31453 Bannerman Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:16:17 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31453 Danny Alexander? You're having a laugh. He's not even liked in his own area after failing to stand for Charles which only made members believe he was part of the group that undermined him. Danny Alexander? You’re having a laugh. He’s not even liked in his own area after failing to stand for Charles which only made members believe he was part of the group that undermined him.

]]> By: Peter Crowe http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31451 Peter Crowe Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:08:26 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31451 Why not Danny Alexander. He comes across to me as someone with the stature of a leader. Why not Danny Alexander. He comes across to me as someone with the stature of a leader.

]]> By: nigelashton http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31445 nigelashton Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:15:08 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31445 Tim @ 20 - We won the Dunfermline by-election before Ming was elected Leader. Tim @ 20 – We won the Dunfermline by-election before Ming was elected Leader.

]]> By: Eldoc http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31439 Eldoc Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:42:50 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31439 I agree with Andrew @ 19. This time we need to have the election that we were deprived of in 2006 because the Cleggs and Daveys of this world lined themselves up behind what was always no more than a stop-gap measure. We need a real contest with a solid field. The preferential ballot can handle it. I agree with Andrew @ 19. This time we need to have the election that we were deprived of in 2006 because the Cleggs and Daveys of this world lined themselves up behind what was always no more than a stop-gap measure.

We need a real contest with a solid field. The preferential ballot can handle it.

]]> By: Colin Smith http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31438 Colin Smith Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:41:47 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31438 Lets put it this way. Being nice should not be on the job requirement. Someone who doesn't mind ruffling feathers, bruising some egos while evangelising liberalism to the populace. Lets put it this way.

Being nice should not be on the job requirement.

Someone who doesn’t mind ruffling feathers, bruising some egos while evangelising liberalism to the populace.

]]> By: Ed http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31434 Ed Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:29:20 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31434 What has impressed me most over the last week or so is the way the party has kept this largely private - to the evident frustration of the media and the Tories. That demonstrates both immense maturity and a determination to remember that in the end we share a bigger objective. One of the worst features of the last campaign was the negative campaigning - particularly the childish briefing against Chris (eg criticising him for being succesful enough in life to be able to buy more than one house.) I hope that type of campaigning does not feature this time because it is divisive and damaging. I agree with the comments about wanting the contest we actually wanted last time - I think the absence of that was what undermined Ming most in the eyes of the activists. A genuine exchange of ideas and a mature assessment of the leadership qualities of the candidates. Followed by a genuine union behind the new leader - whoever that person is. What has impressed me most over the last week or so is the way the party has kept this largely private – to the evident frustration of the media and the Tories.

That demonstrates both immense maturity and a determination to remember that in the end we share a bigger objective.

One of the worst features of the last campaign was the negative campaigning – particularly the childish briefing against Chris (eg criticising him for being succesful enough in life to be able to buy more than one house.) I hope that type of campaigning does not feature this time because it is divisive and damaging.

I agree with the comments about wanting the contest we actually wanted last time – I think the absence of that was what undermined Ming most in the eyes of the activists.

A genuine exchange of ideas and a mature assessment of the leadership qualities of the candidates. Followed by a genuine union behind the new leader – whoever that person is.

]]> By: nigelashton http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31432 nigelashton Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:23:01 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31432 I'd like the field to be (in alphabetical order) Clegg, Huhne, Kramer, Webb. I’d like the field to be (in alphabetical order) Clegg, Huhne, Kramer, Webb.

]]> By: tim leunig http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31430 tim leunig Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:17:06 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31430 There are things that Ming achieved. The Parly Party calmed down after deposing Charles and we began to pull together. We won a by-election. Many people say that Cowley St is better run. We have developed some interesting policies, on poverty, nuclear weapons, and environmental issues, as well as on traditional ones such as ID cards. Against that we failed to win the Bromley by-election, which would really have taken the wind out of Cameron's sails. We did not do well in last year's local by-elections. We have not developed a strong narrative as to where Britain should be going. I think Mark Littlewood was right to say that now, in an election campaign, we can talk about what we are not doing well, where the gaps are, and then to challenge whoever stands to say how they will fill the gaps. It would be daft to pretend that we have all the answers and that all we need is a spinmeister/fair media coverage and our poll ratings will double. Yes, the ability to appear unwooden on television is part of it, but we should have a debate on what we stand for and where we go. Let's hope we get that in what I agree is a very short timescale. Tim There are things that Ming achieved. The Parly Party calmed down after deposing Charles and we began to pull together. We won a by-election. Many people say that Cowley St is better run. We have developed some interesting policies, on poverty, nuclear weapons, and environmental issues, as well as on traditional ones such as ID cards.

Against that we failed to win the Bromley by-election, which would really have taken the wind out of Cameron’s sails. We did not do well in last year’s local by-elections. We have not developed a strong narrative as to where Britain should be going.

I think Mark Littlewood was right to say that now, in an election campaign, we can talk about what we are not doing well, where the gaps are, and then to challenge whoever stands to say how they will fill the gaps.

It would be daft to pretend that we have all the answers and that all we need is a spinmeister/fair media coverage and our poll ratings will double. Yes, the ability to appear unwooden on television is part of it, but we should have a debate on what we stand for and where we go.

Let’s hope we get that in what I agree is a very short timescale.

Tim

]]> By: Andrew Houseley http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31428 Andrew Houseley Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:10:59 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31428 Not a surprise Simon ruling himself out, but can we please have the field we should have got in 2006? We vote by STV and despite the speculation about Huhne and Clegg leading the race it should encourage a campaign of all the talents. We need that. Not a surprise Simon ruling himself out, but can we please have the field we should have got in 2006? We vote by STV and despite the speculation about Huhne and Clegg leading the race it should encourage a campaign of all the talents. We need that.

]]> By: Nick http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31427 Nick Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:10:13 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31427 Letterman@14. Mark Littlewood hasn't worked for the Party since last March. Letterman@14. Mark Littlewood hasn’t worked for the Party since last March.

]]> By: welshproudliberal http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31425 welshproudliberal Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:06:26 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31425 It is very clear that everyone is very fired up and angry and p**sed off. It is very clear that everyone is very fired up and angry and p**sed off.

]]> By: Peter Welch http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31424 Peter Welch Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:03:33 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31424 I am disappointed that Ming has gone. But I think two months is long enough for an election campaign. PS: "you even make me look chilled" - I wouldn't go that far, Rab! I am disappointed that Ming has gone. But I think two months is long enough for an election campaign.

PS: “you even make me look chilled” – I wouldn’t go that far, Rab!

]]> By: Angus Huck http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31423 Angus Huck Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:00:56 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/hughes-rules-himself-out-of-contention-1490.html#comment-31423 Go and clear off back to the saloon bar, Big Mak. I was making a serious point about AGEISM, but clearly some people lack the mental equipment to see that. Go and clear off back to the saloon bar, Big Mak.

I was making a serious point about AGEISM, but clearly some people lack the mental equipment to see that.

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