Comments on: Nick Clegg writes for LDV: making the Lib Dems “fit for the battle ahead” http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:55:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anonymous http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56624 Anonymous Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:04:39 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56624 <i>"We are Europe’s most successful Liberal party."</i> Though one could argue, that the liberal parties in Belgium, Denmark and Estonia have done well, too. And with a longer perspective, the Swiss liberals, who have sat continuously in the government for over 100 years, haven't done bad, either. “We are Europe’s most successful Liberal party.”

Though one could argue, that the liberal parties in Belgium, Denmark and Estonia have done well, too. And with a longer perspective, the Swiss liberals, who have sat continuously in the government for over 100 years, haven’t done bad, either.

]]> By: Spanny Thomas http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56346 Spanny Thomas Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:36:26 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56346 Thank you for coming here Nick. It is great to hear from you. My only concern is on taxes. We are not the Tories and surely we need to concentrate on services rather than giving money to the well off.People will not vote for the "me me me" party like they did in the eighties. Thank you for coming here Nick. It is great to hear from you. My only concern is on taxes. We are not the Tories and surely we need to concentrate on services rather than giving money to the well off.People will not vote for the “me me me” party like they did in the eighties.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56252 Anonymous Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:13:49 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56252 Steve "“Possible” and “widely improbable” are not the same thing." I think you'll find that no one is claiming they are the same thing. My point is simply that it's wildly improbable that a general election is "months away", and that therefore it's rather strange that Clegg opened his piece as he did. There's really nothing hard to grasp about what I'm saying. Steve

““Possible” and “widely improbable” are not the same thing.”

I think you’ll find that no one is claiming they are the same thing.

My point is simply that it’s wildly improbable that a general election is “months away”, and that therefore it’s rather strange that Clegg opened his piece as he did.

There’s really nothing hard to grasp about what I’m saying.

]]> By: Steve http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56224 Steve Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:31:41 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56224 "Possible" and "widely improbable" are not the same thing. If the only way you can make your point is to take someone's words and rewrite them into something else, I think you should rethink your original point. “Possible” and “widely improbable” are not the same thing. If the only way you can make your point is to take someone’s words and rewrite them into something else, I think you should rethink your original point.

]]> By: dreamingspire http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56220 dreamingspire Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:39:53 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56220 Clegg's living up to his reputation of spouting empty words I see. Mind you don't shoot yourselves in both feet this time. Must be agonising for the MPs. Clegg’s living up to his reputation of spouting empty words I see. Mind you don’t shoot yourselves in both feet this time. Must be agonising for the MPs.

]]> By: David Morton http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56139 David Morton Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:52:27 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56139 I'll reserve jugement on this whole isue till hve actually seen the proposals. However on procesess i have two questions. 1. Now that the story has leaked (and been denied) in the Times, the Leader is writing guest articles and FE has approved the plan then why no just publish it? 2. If FE has approved I and Nick says its going to be implimented then what is the status of the Consultation ? Also i agree the " Election might be only mnhs away" line smacks of " be good or you will get o presents from Father Christmas". I’ll reserve jugement on this whole isue till hve actually seen the proposals. However on procesess i have two questions.

1. Now that the story has leaked (and been denied) in the Times, the Leader is writing guest articles and FE has approved the plan then why no just publish it?

2. If FE has approved I and Nick says its going to be implimented then what is the status of the Consultation ?

Also i agree the ” Election might be only mnhs away” line smacks of ” be good or you will get o presents from Father Christmas”.

]]> By: wit and wisdom http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56138 wit and wisdom Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:21:53 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56138 Is he holding a feather? Is he holding a feather?

]]> By: Jab http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56133 Jab Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:29:57 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56133 We need to ensure that these reforms genuinely make the party more effective, rather than making the leader less democratically accountable. Always suspect the latter when you see leaders trying to alter party structures. The Bones Report needs to be published now. Or leaked. We need to ensure that these reforms genuinely make the party more effective, rather than making the leader less democratically accountable. Always suspect the latter when you see leaders trying to alter party structures. The Bones Report needs to be published now. Or leaked.

]]> By: Martin Land http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56128 Martin Land Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:55:36 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56128 As a card-carrying Stalinist I'm not overly bothered about how we make decisions, but about who is making them. And that seems to be the same people as before. So if you think poor decisions are constantly being made then the only comfort you can derive from this is that they will now be made more quickly. As a card-carrying Stalinist I’m not overly bothered about how we make decisions, but about who is making them. And that seems to be the same people as before. So if you think poor decisions are constantly being made then the only comfort you can derive from this is that they will now be made more quickly.

]]> By: Neil Walton http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56127 Neil Walton Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:34:43 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56127 I too would like to know what the reforms are and look forward to the publication of the report to members, hopefully soon. It is entirely possible that some of the reforms can be implemented quickly but I suspect that if there are any about major change in how the party runs itself, then they will require Conference approval. I have checked the downloadable preliminary agenda for September and there are no motions about the Reform Commission. Unless there is a hidden holding motion of course ;-) I would expect mention of the Reform Commission to be in the reports to Conference this year and I am sure questions will be asked. Hopefully there will be a fringe event or 3 about the report, especially if the report is published before conference. Until the report is published, I feel that it is too early to get worried about the reforms. Lets wait until we know what they are. I too would like to know what the reforms are and look forward to the publication of the report to members, hopefully soon.
It is entirely possible that some of the reforms can be implemented quickly but I suspect that if there are any about major change in how the party runs itself, then they will require Conference approval.
I have checked the downloadable preliminary agenda for September and there are no motions about the Reform Commission. Unless there is a hidden holding motion of course ;-)
I would expect mention of the Reform Commission to be in the reports to Conference this year and I am sure questions will be asked. Hopefully there will be a fringe event or 3 about the report, especially if the report is published before conference.
Until the report is published, I feel that it is too early to get worried about the reforms. Lets wait until we know what they are.

]]> By: Nigel Ashton http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56126 Nigel Ashton Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:20:54 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56126 I'm sorry, but I cannot take seriously any article which starts with the words "The next general election may be only a matter of months away." I’m sorry, but I cannot take seriously any article which starts with the words “The next general election may be only a matter of months away.”

]]> By: Jennie http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56124 Jennie Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:44:08 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56124 Pardon me for joining in the clamour of people asking what the reforms are actually going to be. Because not telling us makes me suspicious that you have some REASON for not telling us... Pardon me for joining in the clamour of people asking what the reforms are actually going to be. Because not telling us makes me suspicious that you have some REASON for not telling us…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56122 Anonymous Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:31:58 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56122 Steve: "“Probable” was your word. Not mine. Not Nick Clegg’s. So when the anonymous poster feels he has to conjure up this word, I wonder why." The point I was making was that - though, as you had pointed out, an election "months away" was _possible_ - no one in their mind thought such a thing was remotely likely. So I was puzzled by the fact that Nick Clegg invoked this wildly improbable spectre in the first sentence of his piece. Does that make it any clearer? Steve:
““Probable” was your word. Not mine. Not Nick Clegg’s.
So when the anonymous poster feels he has to conjure up this word, I wonder why.”

The point I was making was that – though, as you had pointed out, an election “months away” was _possible_ – no one in their mind thought such a thing was remotely likely.

So I was puzzled by the fact that Nick Clegg invoked this wildly improbable spectre in the first sentence of his piece.

Does that make it any clearer?

]]> By: Andrew Duffield http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56121 Andrew Duffield Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:19:51 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56121 Indeed. It would be nice to have some flesh on the Bones. Indeed. It would be nice to have some flesh on the Bones.

]]> By: Andrew Turvey http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56120 Andrew Turvey Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:16:07 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56120 So is this Bones report going to be published or are these "key" reforms going to be done in secret away from the interfering eyes of mere party members? So is this Bones report going to be published or are these “key” reforms going to be done in secret away from the interfering eyes of mere party members?

]]> By: Steve http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56119 Steve Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:11:16 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56119 "Probable" was your word. Not mine. Not Nick Clegg's. So when the anonymous poster feels he has to conjure up this word, I wonder why. “Probable” was your word. Not mine. Not Nick Clegg’s.

So when the anonymous poster feels he has to conjure up this word, I wonder why.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56116 Anonymous Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:54:59 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56116 "Likely? No. Possible? Yes." But probable? Certainly not! So when the party leader feels he has to conjure up this unlikely prospect in the first sentence of his piece, I wonder why. As I said, by all means call me cynical. After all, it doesn't matter what people call you, as long as they don’t call you pigeon pie and eat you up ... “Likely? No.
Possible? Yes.”

But probable? Certainly not!

So when the party leader feels he has to conjure up this unlikely prospect in the first sentence of his piece, I wonder why.

As I said, by all means call me cynical. After all, it doesn’t matter what people call you, as long as they don’t call you pigeon pie and eat you up …

]]> By: Andy Hinton http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56115 Andy Hinton Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:54:00 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56115 There is an amazing amount of suspicion around about these reforms, seeing as we have really no details of what they entail yet. Please, folks, why don't we all untwist our knickers and sit tight until we have a sensible way to pass judgments on these reforms. Nick: Nice of you to drop by, but what people want to know is what the substance of these reforms is. Might I suggest that the party actually say what is going on and make it as publically available as possible? After all, if the federal committee has now taken decisions on at least some of it, we ought to be entitled to know what those decisions are. There is an amazing amount of suspicion around about these reforms, seeing as we have really no details of what they entail yet. Please, folks, why don’t we all untwist our knickers and sit tight until we have a sensible way to pass judgments on these reforms.

Nick: Nice of you to drop by, but what people want to know is what the substance of these reforms is. Might I suggest that the party actually say what is going on and make it as publically available as possible? After all, if the federal committee has now taken decisions on at least some of it, we ought to be entitled to know what those decisions are.

]]> By: jim http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56113 jim Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:49:53 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56113 Sorry, I've missed something along the way here, what actually are these reforms going to be? Sorry, I’ve missed something along the way here, what actually are these reforms going to be?

]]> By: Steve http://www.libdemvoice.org/nick-clegg-writes-for-ldv-making-the-lib-dems-fit-for-the-battle-ahead-3025.html#comment-56112 Steve Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:49:04 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=3025#comment-56112 Labour gets hammered in elections. Brown quits or is ousted. New Labour leader remembers what happened to Brown last autumn. Snap general election called instead. Voting is all over by Christmas. Likely? No. Possible? Yes. I prefer having a party leader who has the foresight to be prepared for both the very likely but also the possible. Labour gets hammered in elections. Brown quits or is ousted. New Labour leader remembers what happened to Brown last autumn. Snap general election called instead. Voting is all over by Christmas.

Likely? No.
Possible? Yes.

I prefer having a party leader who has the foresight to be prepared for both the very likely but also the possible.

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