Comments on: Vince talks to Iain Dale http://www.libdemvoice.org/vince-talks-to-iain-dale-16895.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:38:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lonely Wonderer http://www.libdemvoice.org/vince-talks-to-iain-dale-16895.html#comment-102240 Lonely Wonderer Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:57:36 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=16895#comment-102240 I think another interesting question is whether Vince is seen outside political circles as the embodiment of a LibDem approach to politics that offers a conherent, distinct and wide-ranging alternative to the traditional philosophies of Labour and the Conservatives. Or whether rather he's seen as a reasonable chap who's often got good insights into economics. I think another interesting question is whether Vince is seen outside political circles as the embodiment of a LibDem approach to politics that offers a conherent, distinct and wide-ranging alternative to the traditional philosophies of Labour and the Conservatives. Or whether rather he’s seen as a reasonable chap who’s often got good insights into economics.

]]> By: Lonely Wonderer http://www.libdemvoice.org/vince-talks-to-iain-dale-16895.html#comment-102238 Lonely Wonderer Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:36:47 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=16895#comment-102238 It's interesting Martin. Some liberals have often said that "left" and "right" aren't very helpful labels because they only capture a single dimension of political variation (a dimension that doesn't include liberalism). Yet others have been happy to label themselves "centre-left" because it's only that part of the dimension that has an inherent concern for increasing fairness by non-revolutionary means. For me, Vince puts his finger on it wonderfully. There are some areas where LibDems could typically be characterised as centre-left, notably in relation to a progressive, redistributive approach to taxation. Yet many would reject what could be characterised as a typically left-wing concern with controlling or minimising the role of markets. Moreover, he points out, there are many concerns that could be argued from either a libertarian or a leftist perspective: he cites localism, environmentalism and civil liberties. To the latter I would add (speaking only for what I've seen to be valued hereabouts) cultural liberalism, internationalism, separation of church and state, respect for science, accountability, openness, distrust of dogmatism, antipathy to bullying, good humour and generosity of spirit. [Did I miss out motherhood and apple pie?] So I'm not really bothered how people end up responding to questions about the monochromatic left-right scale. There's mch more going on than that. It’s interesting Martin. Some liberals have often said that “left” and “right” aren’t very helpful labels because they only capture a single dimension of political variation (a dimension that doesn’t include liberalism). Yet others have been happy to label themselves “centre-left” because it’s only that part of the dimension that has an inherent concern for increasing fairness by non-revolutionary means.

For me, Vince puts his finger on it wonderfully. There are some areas where LibDems could typically be characterised as centre-left, notably in relation to a progressive, redistributive approach to taxation. Yet many would reject what could be characterised as a typically left-wing concern with controlling or minimising the role of markets. Moreover, he points out, there are many concerns that could be argued from either a libertarian or a leftist perspective: he cites localism, environmentalism and civil liberties. To the latter I would add (speaking only for what I’ve seen to be valued hereabouts) cultural liberalism, internationalism, separation of church and state, respect for science, accountability, openness, distrust of dogmatism, antipathy to bullying, good humour and generosity of spirit. [Did I miss out motherhood and apple pie?]

So I’m not really bothered how people end up responding to questions about the monochromatic left-right scale. There’s mch more going on than that.

]]> By: Martin Land http://www.libdemvoice.org/vince-talks-to-iain-dale-16895.html#comment-102235 Martin Land Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:16:47 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=16895#comment-102235 Well, I'm centre left, Vince. I was when I joined NLYL 36 years ago, and I've not moved anywhere. And I never have and I'm not planning to. Well, I’m centre left, Vince. I was when I joined NLYL 36 years ago, and I’ve not moved anywhere. And I never have and I’m not planning to.

]]> By: Lonely Wonderer http://www.libdemvoice.org/vince-talks-to-iain-dale-16895.html#comment-102234 Lonely Wonderer Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:31:04 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/?p=16895#comment-102234 AlexF - How can I put this in a way that isn't too offensive? Hmm.... OK... Have you considered that your new profile photo above this post might possibly be seen as a little unflattering? I mean, I'm a fan of beards, but this one seems to have consumed your whole face! And, well, your nose appears slightly more prominent and *shiny*. OTOH, I can see you've lost a lot of weight and want to show that off. And good for you! But maybe the chiengora sweater is a bit... de trop. No? Hmm... actually I think that was fairly offensive. Please ignore. AlexF – How can I put this in a way that isn’t too offensive? Hmm….

OK… Have you considered that your new profile photo above this post might possibly be seen as a little unflattering? I mean, I’m a fan of beards, but this one seems to have consumed your whole face! And, well, your nose appears slightly more prominent and *shiny*. OTOH, I can see you’ve lost a lot of weight and want to show that off. And good for you! But maybe the chiengora sweater is a bit… de trop. No?

Hmm… actually I think that was fairly offensive. Please ignore.

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