Comments on: Preview of Clegg’s interview with GMTV http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 01:13:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Denis http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33636 Denis Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:25:58 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33636 Fair enough cgp, which is why much the best option emerging from 2010 would be the removal of nuclear weapons from our soil but we are entitled to seek something in return from other nuclear nations - that is the essence of multilateralism. We need to work towards reducing (some day eliminating?) nuclear weapons across the world. As I see it Chris is saying that we can at least state now that Trident or anything like it is not even on the table. This gives a lead in the right direction and releases substantial funding for much needed improvements for our troops. Fair enough cgp, which is why much the best option emerging from 2010 would be the removal of nuclear weapons from our soil but we are entitled to seek something in return from other nuclear nations – that is the essence of multilateralism. We need to work towards reducing (some day eliminating?) nuclear weapons across the world.
As I see it Chris is saying that we can at least state now that Trident or anything like it is not even on the table. This gives a lead in the right direction and releases substantial funding for much needed improvements for our troops.

]]> By: cgp http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33626 cgp Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:51:33 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33626 Denis wrote: "Could I hear please from any Lib Dem member the case for renewing a fleet of appallingly expensive submarines permanently prowling the world’s oceans and with multi missiles targeted on ..........?" I think, for consistency's sake, you have to present the case for a "scaled down deterrent", targeted on .........? Denis wrote:
“Could I hear please from any Lib Dem member the case for renewing a fleet of appallingly expensive submarines permanently prowling the world’s oceans and with multi missiles targeted on ……….?”

I think, for consistency’s sake, you have to present the case for a “scaled down deterrent”, targeted on ………?

]]> By: Eddie http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33618 Eddie Wed, 14 Nov 2007 22:45:25 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33618 Neither candidate really has the radical plan !Judging by the clowns running clegg to win and Huhne's continual attack mode, we have a classroom battle to be prefect rather than a contest to be leader. Neither candidate really has the radical plan !Judging by the clowns running clegg to win and Huhne’s continual attack mode, we have a classroom battle to be prefect rather than a contest to be leader.

]]> By: Denis http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33615 Denis Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:31:03 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33615 cgp says "Unfortunately Chris Huhne’s policy on nuclear weapons comes across as equally incoherent" How so? At the risk of repeating my contribution to an earlier debate .... Bearing in mind the long timescale and the forthcoming 2010 negotiations Chris is sensibly not yet committing himself as to what should replace Trident. His preferred option if feasible is not replacing it with another so-called independent nuclear deterrent at all but mutilateralism means that he retains the possibility of a scaled down deterrent meeting the different needs of today and the foreseeable future. He is ruling out here and now a Trident-type deterrent. Could I hear please from any Lib Dem member the case for renewing a fleet of appallingly expensive submarines permanently prowling the world’s oceans and with multi missiles targeted on ……….? cgp says “Unfortunately Chris Huhne’s policy on nuclear weapons comes across as equally incoherent” How so? At the risk of repeating my contribution to an earlier debate ….
Bearing in mind the long timescale and the forthcoming 2010 negotiations Chris is sensibly not yet committing himself as to what should replace Trident. His preferred option if feasible is not replacing it with another so-called independent nuclear deterrent at all but mutilateralism means that he retains the possibility of a scaled down deterrent meeting the different needs of today and the foreseeable future. He is ruling out here and now a Trident-type deterrent. Could I hear please from any Lib Dem member the case for renewing a fleet of appallingly expensive submarines permanently prowling the world’s oceans and with multi missiles targeted on ……….?

]]> By: rob http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33478 rob Mon, 12 Nov 2007 15:52:53 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33478 I got up early to watch the interview as well and thought Clegg came across as shakey and unsure. Steve Richards is no Paxman, but he managed to make Clegg look unconfident and nervous. This idea of 'Communicator Clegg' really is the urban myth of 2007. The contrast with the interview on GMTV with Huhne the week before was quite striking. Huhne came across as confident and assured in comparison. I got up early to watch the interview as well and thought Clegg came across as shakey and unsure. Steve Richards is no Paxman, but he managed to make Clegg look unconfident and nervous.

This idea of ‘Communicator Clegg’ really is the urban myth of 2007.

The contrast with the interview on GMTV with Huhne the week before was quite striking. Huhne came across as confident and assured in comparison.

]]> By: cgp http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33453 cgp Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:19:26 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33453 With the best will in the world, "Yes, er well no, hang on, or, sorry…" doesn't come across well as a response to a question about the party's taxation policy. Unfortunately Chris Huhne's policy on nuclear weapons comes across as equally incoherent. I think these are symptoms of inexperience, and the party seems to have inexplicably got itself into the position of having to decide between two extremely inexperienced candidates - despite having the largest parliamentary party in living memory to choose from. With the best will in the world, “Yes, er well no, hang on, or, sorry…” doesn’t come across well as a response to a question about the party’s taxation policy.

Unfortunately Chris Huhne’s policy on nuclear weapons comes across as equally incoherent.

I think these are symptoms of inexperience, and the party seems to have inexplicably got itself into the position of having to decide between two extremely inexperienced candidates – despite having the largest parliamentary party in living memory to choose from.

]]> By: Denis http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33450 Denis Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:34:01 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33450 All this stuff about attempts by one to "smear" the other are highly superficial. What matters is who is going to put across the more coherent and attractive message. I worry about Clegg under interviewing pressure - all the furrowed brow and the "Hang on - that's not what I'm trying to say" stuff. Huhne looks and sounds a lot better under fire. All this stuff about attempts by one to “smear” the other are highly superficial. What matters is who is going to put across the more coherent and attractive message. I worry about Clegg under interviewing pressure – all the furrowed brow and the “Hang on – that’s not what I’m trying to say” stuff. Huhne looks and sounds a lot better under fire.

]]> By: Joe Otten http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33448 Joe Otten Mon, 12 Nov 2007 00:11:50 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33448 Sarah 28. Yeah I heard that too, and I was shocked. Chris was really working hard to pin the slur. I have had largely a good impression of Chris up to now, but this is fading fast. Sarah 28. Yeah I heard that too, and I was shocked. Chris was really working hard to pin the slur. I have had largely a good impression of Chris up to now, but this is fading fast.

]]> By: Sarah Ludford http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33441 Sarah Ludford Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:53:53 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33441 I can hardly believe my ears. Huhne has yet again said, this time on Radio 4 Westminster Hour this evening, that Clegg left 2 journalists with the impression that he supported vouchers. The journalists seem to have just not understood pupil premium, in which the money goes to the school, as opposed to vouchers which go the the child/parent. The fact is that both journalists have confirmed to Nick that he did not use the word, and the Clegg campaign have written to Huhne to ask him to stop making ridiculous false assertions. Huhne in these circumstances is simply acting maliciously and I am genuinely disgusted that he feels he has to resort to this. I can hardly believe my ears. Huhne has yet again said, this time on Radio 4 Westminster Hour this evening, that Clegg left 2 journalists with the impression that he supported vouchers. The journalists seem to have just not understood pupil premium, in which the money goes to the school, as opposed to vouchers which go the the child/parent. The fact is that both journalists have confirmed to Nick that he did not use the word, and the Clegg campaign have written to Huhne to ask him to stop making ridiculous false assertions.

Huhne in these circumstances is simply acting maliciously and I am genuinely disgusted that he feels he has to resort to this.

]]> By: Valerie http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33393 Valerie Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:57:05 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33393 23. David Laws proposed a *social* insurance scheme for health (i.e. compulsory, progressive rates etc., as used by much of Europe.) No one has ever proposed 'privatised health insurance' or 'American-style' insurance, which is what Chris' emails say. 23. David Laws proposed a *social* insurance scheme for health (i.e. compulsory, progressive rates etc., as used by much of Europe.)

No one has ever proposed ‘privatised health insurance’ or ‘American-style’ insurance, which is what Chris’ emails say.

]]> By: Richard Church http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33388 Richard Church Sun, 11 Nov 2007 07:59:18 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33388 I dragged myself out of bed at 6am this morning to watch this interview. No way was there any blunder. Anybody watching it would be clear that Nick advocates a £2.5 billion pupil premium fund, has identified £1.5 billion and wants to find the remaining £1 billion by the next election. It is a strong policy, well articulated, which can give us the lead in education which we haven't had since Paddy's penny on income tax. Nick also catagorically rejected vouchers, as he has done at hustings. The Huhne campaign have an answer to their question. Perhaps they will now stop asking it, and Chris can stop references to what 'some Lib Dem MP's' might or might not be advocating. Both sides could trawl through their lists of supporters and come up with some whacky policy proposals to pin on their opponents. I dragged myself out of bed at 6am this morning to watch this interview.

No way was there any blunder. Anybody watching it would be clear that Nick advocates a £2.5 billion pupil premium fund, has identified £1.5 billion and wants to find the remaining £1 billion by the next election. It is a strong policy, well articulated, which can give us the lead in education which we haven’t had since Paddy’s penny on income tax.

Nick also catagorically rejected vouchers, as he has done at hustings. The Huhne campaign have an answer to their question. Perhaps they will now stop asking it, and Chris can stop references to what ‘some Lib Dem MP’s’ might or might not be advocating.

Both sides could trawl through their lists of supporters and come up with some whacky policy proposals to pin on their opponents.

]]> By: tim leunig http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33377 tim leunig Sat, 10 Nov 2007 22:06:39 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33377 In our party David Laws has certainly suggested European style social insurance, but Nick's comments seem to be very similar to those of Chris - make it local. (Interestingly, none of our Shadow Health people have done much with the idea since then). The only person - to the best of my knowledge - who has suggested school vouchers should be usable in private schools is Vince, and no-one rushed to agree with him, or even appeared to agree with him privately. But yes, it would be nice to have Nick's categorical answer. Chris has said that he is for democratic local control (if you are on his team) or (if you don't agree with him on this) that no matter how bad your local schools, if you can't afford to go private, you have to lump it: you voted for the council and that is it. Dominic is right that in govt £1bn is within a rounding error. But equally I was surprised that Nick did not announce a £1.5bn pupil premium. We have worked out how to fund that by cutting welfare benefits to the affluent. That is a good and costed policy. Why muddy it by adding £1bn you don't have? Can there be much political mileage in having a £2.5bn rather than a £1.5bn pupil premium? In our party David Laws has certainly suggested European style social insurance, but Nick’s comments seem to be very similar to those of Chris – make it local. (Interestingly, none of our Shadow Health people have done much with the idea since then).

The only person – to the best of my knowledge – who has suggested school vouchers should be usable in private schools is Vince, and no-one rushed to agree with him, or even appeared to agree with him privately.

But yes, it would be nice to have Nick’s categorical answer. Chris has said that he is for democratic local control (if you are on his team) or (if you don’t agree with him on this) that no matter how bad your local schools, if you can’t afford to go private, you have to lump it: you voted for the council and that is it.

Dominic is right that in govt £1bn is within a rounding error. But equally I was surprised that Nick did not announce a £1.5bn pupil premium. We have worked out how to fund that by cutting welfare benefits to the affluent. That is a good and costed policy. Why muddy it by adding £1bn you don’t have? Can there be much political mileage in having a £2.5bn rather than a £1.5bn pupil premium?

]]> By: Steve Comer http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33365 Steve Comer Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:49:18 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33365 The complaints about Chris Huhne's rhetoric from the Clegg clan really do take the biscuit. Clegg syupporters have been saying that their man is 'good on the media', is 'appealing to those outside the party' etc. It seems the tactic is to keep repeating this, in the hope people believe it. I saw both candidates on ITV West last week, and it was Clegg who was doing all the negative comments. The complaints about Chris Huhne’s rhetoric from the Clegg clan really do take the biscuit.

Clegg syupporters have been saying that their man is ‘good on the media’, is ‘appealing to those outside the party’ etc. It seems the tactic is to keep repeating this, in the hope people believe it.

I saw both candidates on ITV West last week, and it was Clegg who was doing all the negative comments.

]]> By: will http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33364 will Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:48:55 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33364 19. John - what on earth is wrong with saying we don't want to be 'Britain's third conservative party'? This is exactly the sort of attack on Labour and the Tories that we should be making, if we're the anti-establishment party (as both candidates are saying) then we've got to show that only we want to change the system! 8. Sarah - forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't David Laws advocate an insurance based healthcare system in the orange book? And didn't the Telegraph interview say that some of Nick's colleagues think school vouchers should be used in private schools, even if Nick himself was 'not yet persuaded'? Chris spent years chairing our public services commission and coming up with excellent, progressive policy on localised democratic control. It is a shame that some of Nicks supporters now appear to be trying to undermine this work, and criticise Chris for advocating existing party poliy. 19. John – what on earth is wrong with saying we don’t want to be ‘Britain’s third conservative party’? This is exactly the sort of attack on Labour and the Tories that we should be making, if we’re the anti-establishment party (as both candidates are saying) then we’ve got to show that only we want to change the system!
8. Sarah – forgive me if I’m wrong, but didn’t David Laws advocate an insurance based healthcare system in the orange book? And didn’t the Telegraph interview say that some of Nick’s colleagues think school vouchers should be used in private schools, even if Nick himself was ‘not yet persuaded’? Chris spent years chairing our public services commission and coming up with excellent, progressive policy on localised democratic control. It is a shame that some of Nicks supporters now appear to be trying to undermine this work, and criticise Chris for advocating existing party poliy.

]]> By: simon wilson http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33356 simon wilson Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:53:29 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33356 I too agree with Sarah and co. I have been disappointed by the nature of some of Chris' rhetoric. I too agree with Sarah and co. I have been disappointed by the nature of some of Chris’ rhetoric.

]]> By: Sam http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33353 Sam Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:46:41 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33353 Has Nick changed his mind about the NHS since these comments then? http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article313546.ece I can see the Labour leafets now ... Has Nick changed his mind about the NHS since these comments then?

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article313546.ece

I can see the Labour leafets now …

]]> By: Martin Land http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33350 Martin Land Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:32:28 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33350 12. Geoffrey is there ANY issue for you that doesn't come down to Trident? 12. Geoffrey is there ANY issue for you that doesn’t come down to Trident?

]]> By: John http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33349 John Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:15:37 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33349 Am with Sarah. I lean toward Nickanyway, but backed Chris last ime and was impressed with his ideas and drive. I was really taken aback at the Cardiff hustings though when he talked about our not needing 'David Cameron's stunt double' and our need to avoid becoming 'Britain's third conservative party'. If nothing else, these images will come back to haunt us, Labour will make sure of that now if Nick wins. The Trident thing put the tin-lid on it though - why raise it other than to divide when we have a perfectly reasonable policy (at least one that just about everyone sees as a step in the right direction). Am with Sarah. I lean toward Nickanyway, but backed Chris last ime and was impressed with his ideas and drive. I was really taken aback at the Cardiff hustings though when he talked about our not needing ‘David Cameron’s stunt double’ and our need to avoid becoming ‘Britain’s third conservative party’. If nothing else, these images will come back to haunt us, Labour will make sure of that now if Nick wins.

The Trident thing put the tin-lid on it though – why raise it other than to divide when we have a perfectly reasonable policy (at least one that just about everyone sees as a step in the right direction).

]]> By: Daniel Bowen http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33348 Daniel Bowen Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:12:34 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33348 17 Pot and kettle, Dominic. The issues of vouchers etc. are highly important in the public services debate, not just within the Party. It's helpful to have a candidate who knows where they stand on this. It would be even more helpful if both were clear. Maybe the hustings will tease this out. 17 Pot and kettle, Dominic. The issues of vouchers etc. are highly important in the public services debate, not just within the Party. It’s helpful to have a candidate who knows where they stand on this. It would be even more helpful if both were clear. Maybe the hustings will tease this out.

]]> By: Dominic http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33347 Dominic Sat, 10 Nov 2007 10:33:25 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/preview-of-cleggs-interview-with-gmtv-1608.html#comment-33347 On the 'spin', I have to agree with Linda Jack, Sarah Ludford, Valerie & co that Chris' not-so-subtle attacks on Nick are unhelpful, unwise and unfounded. I backed Chris last time and campaigned for him but have found his divisive approach this time very disappointing :( On the ‘spin’, I have to agree with Linda Jack, Sarah Ludford, Valerie & co that Chris’ not-so-subtle attacks on Nick are unhelpful, unwise and unfounded. I backed Chris last time and campaigned for him but have found his divisive approach this time very disappointing :(

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