Comments on: What the media says http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html Our place to talk - an independent website for supporters of the Liberal Democrat party in the UK. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 23:15:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Tony Evans http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-26399 Tony Evans Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:59:51 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-26399 Well done to the LD's. When we have a fair system of elections the only party that deserve to rule are the long suffering, only truely democratic party who poll more than enough to hold the balance of power, if not overall control of parliament. Oh how I dream and pray for the day it comes to be!!! Well done to the LD’s. When we have a fair system of elections the only party that deserve to rule are the long suffering, only truely democratic party who poll more than enough to hold the balance of power, if not overall control of parliament. Oh how I dream and pray for the day it comes to be!!!

]]> By: Cousin Jack http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25273 Cousin Jack Fri, 27 Jul 2007 17:58:43 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25273 The UK media have always preferred a two party system - easier to write about when you've had a couple, and less of that nasty thinking to do. But it was ever thus. I intend to follow the great David Penhaligon's advice, put it on a Focus and get it through letter-boxes... The UK media have always preferred a two party system – easier to write about when you’ve had a couple, and less of that nasty thinking to do. But it was ever thus.
I intend to follow the great David Penhaligon’s advice, put it on a Focus and get it through letter-boxes…

]]> By: Migeru http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25254 Migeru Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:49:36 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25254 I got a [deservedly] self-congratulatory e-mail from Ming with the following unjustified statement in it: "as the media coverage of the results demonstrates, good results for us ... can make a huge difference in how the media write about us". Well, maybe it makes a difference in the "how" but it doesn't make a difference in the "whether". I got a [deservedly] self-congratulatory e-mail from Ming with the following unjustified statement in it: “as the media coverage of the results demonstrates, good results for us … can make a huge difference in how the media write about us”.

Well, maybe it makes a difference in the “how” but it doesn’t make a difference in the “whether”.

]]> By: Win Grimmette http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25251 Win Grimmette Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:38:34 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25251 It is disappointing that the media largely ignore our party. They enjoy putting people down rather than giving positive statements on policy. At least we were not on the receiving end of the put down this time. It is disappointing that the media largely ignore our party. They enjoy putting people down rather than giving positive statements on policy. At least we were not on the receiving end of the put down this time.

]]> By: Migeru http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25249 Migeru Fri, 27 Jul 2007 15:31:16 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25249 It's rather sad that all of the media coverage has essentially been about who won and who came third. I count 7 mentions of the Lib Dems in 42 paragraphs quoted from 23 media items quoted. It’s rather sad that all of the media coverage has essentially been about who won and who came third.

I count 7 mentions of the Lib Dems in 42 paragraphs quoted from 23 media items quoted.

]]> By: Neil http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25214 Neil Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:50:28 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25214 The Liberal Democrats have many rising stars who they fail promote,and would be attractive to voters dispairing at seeing recycled polititians trying to jump on band wagons which they are both inept and ill informed about. Ming needs to show case the talent his team undoubtable has and offer the public a fresh and exciting new vision for Britian.By doing so the Lib/dems will capture seats at bye elections and more importantly the next general election. The Liberal Democrats have many rising stars who they fail promote,and would be attractive to voters dispairing at seeing recycled polititians trying to jump on band wagons which they are both inept and ill informed about.
Ming needs to show case the talent his team undoubtable has and offer the public a fresh and exciting new vision for Britian.By doing so the Lib/dems will capture
seats at bye elections and more importantly the next general election.

]]> By: Martin http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25157 Martin Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:38:40 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25157 One observation: lots of bad news for David Cameron (great!), but not that much talk about the Liberal Democrats. It's all very well for the opponent to be getting bad press, but it doesn't necessarily influence people to vote Lib Dem if there isn't some positive news out there about Lib Dem policies. Easier said than done, I'm sure, but there has to be a way of generating more frequent headlines, without becoming tainted by the spinning of Labour and the Tories. One observation: lots of bad news for David Cameron (great!), but not that much talk about the Liberal Democrats. It’s all very well for the opponent to be getting bad press, but it doesn’t necessarily influence people to vote Lib Dem if there isn’t some positive news out there about Lib Dem policies.

Easier said than done, I’m sure, but there has to be a way of generating more frequent headlines, without becoming tainted by the spinning of Labour and the Tories.

]]> By: Lee Dunsdon http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25145 Lee Dunsdon Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:22:02 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-25145 As a Lib Dem Councillor I feel that it was dissapointing not to win the Ealing Southall By Election. However, I guess it's all relative and on this basis the Tories must be wondering whether they can ever gain the crucial seats they need to win a general election now the Lib Dems seem to be the main opposition in so much of the country. As a Lib Dem Councillor I feel that it was dissapointing not to win the Ealing Southall By Election. However, I guess it’s all relative and on this basis the Tories must be wondering whether they can ever gain the crucial seats they need to win a general election now the Lib Dems seem to be the main opposition in so much of the country.

]]> By: James http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24622 James Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:14:09 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24622 Ming is not an encumberance for those who are prepared to make the liberal choice and eschew personality for politics. Quite simply he is the first citizen of a party - the only party - which is democratic through and through. Our treasured democracy becomes ever more threatened by the rise of secular and political idols despite this reverence being continually shown up as a flawed concept - so it is to LD credit and advantage to continue to promote the necessary alternative: faith in the wisdom of the electorate is always repaid, given half a chance (and sufficient profile). You're damn right LibDems are no longer just a protest party - the story of recent elections is the growth of the LD argument, and voting patterns clearly show LibDems are the only group to have an appeal wide enough to govern in the wider interest. Ming is not an encumberance for those who are prepared to make the liberal choice and eschew personality for politics. Quite simply he is the first citizen of a party – the only party – which is democratic through and through.
Our treasured democracy becomes ever more threatened by the rise of secular and political idols despite this reverence being continually shown up as a flawed concept – so it is to LD credit and advantage to continue to promote the necessary alternative: faith in the wisdom of the electorate is always repaid, given half a chance (and sufficient profile).
You’re damn right LibDems are no longer just a protest party – the story of recent elections is the growth of the LD argument, and voting patterns clearly show LibDems are the only group to have an appeal wide enough to govern in the wider interest.

]]> By: Stuart http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24620 Stuart Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:11 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24620 And, Jim, I know your chums in the Tory press portrayed the local election result as a bad one for the LibDems, but it was actually something like our 2nd best share of the vote ever. And, Jim, I know your chums in the Tory press portrayed the local election result as a bad one for the LibDems, but it was actually something like our 2nd best share of the vote ever.

]]> By: Paul L http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24619 Paul L Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:54:29 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24619 Jim, suggest you go back to Conservative home and your chums. To pretend that the Lib dems don't even do by-elections now is plainly stupid - two good second places against all the press and the resource the Tories threw at Ealing and from third to second in Sedgefield in a hard fought 3 week campaign with the PM still in his honeymoon is not a disappointment for us friend! Jim, suggest you go back to Conservative home and your chums.

To pretend that the Lib dems don’t even do by-elections now is plainly stupid – two good second places against all the press and the resource the Tories threw at Ealing and from third to second in Sedgefield in a hard fought 3 week campaign with the PM still in his honeymoon is not a disappointment for us friend!

]]> By: jim http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24618 jim Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:27:12 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24618 'Does anyone think that there will come a time when we will be using Cameron liberally on our leaflets as he becomes more amd more of a negative for his party.' I would be more concerned about Ming,two consecutive years of disastrous local election results and now the Lib Dems don't even do by-elections. No longer even a successful protest party? ‘Does anyone think that there will come a time when we will be using Cameron liberally on our leaflets as he becomes more amd more of a negative for his party.’

I would be more concerned about Ming,two consecutive years of disastrous local election results and now the Lib Dems don’t even do by-elections.

No longer even a successful protest party?

]]> By: Cheltenham Robin http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24594 Cheltenham Robin Sun, 22 Jul 2007 19:59:41 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24594 The decision to put David Cameron on the ballot paper in Ealing is an intersting one. This failed to have a positive effect and may even have been a negative for the Tories. Does anyone think that there will come a time when we will be using Cameron liberally on our leaflets as he becomes more amd more of a negative for his party. The general public are already starting to realise that he is all spin and no substance. The decision to put David Cameron on the ballot paper in Ealing is an intersting one.

This failed to have a positive effect and may even have been a negative for the Tories.

Does anyone think that there will come a time when we will be using Cameron liberally on our leaflets as he becomes more amd more of a negative for his party.

The general public are already starting to realise that he is all spin and no substance.

]]> By: Lib Dem member http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24593 Lib Dem member Sun, 22 Jul 2007 19:19:50 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24593 Jim: your knowledge of opinion polls needs a little updating. Last month there was a poll that put the party on less than 15%, as have many other polls over the last 20 years. You may find your comments have more effect if you made a passing effort at getting your facts rights? Jim: your knowledge of opinion polls needs a little updating. Last month there was a poll that put the party on less than 15%, as have many other polls over the last 20 years. You may find your comments have more effect if you made a passing effort at getting your facts rights?

]]> By: jim http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24589 jim Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:31:50 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24589 It certainly takes the spotlight off the dismal Lib Dem performances. A truly awful record of 2 seats net gain at the 2006 locals,a loss of 300 seats at the 2007 locals and now they can't even win a by-election,oh and their lowest poll ratings for 20 years of 15% ? The Tories must be delighted that Ming gets to keep his job which must be worth at least 20 seats to the Tories at the next GE. What is the purpose of the Lib Dems as they don't even do by-elections now? It certainly takes the spotlight off the dismal Lib Dem performances.
A truly awful record of 2 seats net gain at the 2006 locals,a loss of 300 seats at the 2007 locals and now they can’t even win a by-election,oh and their lowest poll ratings for 20 years of 15% ?
The Tories must be delighted that Ming gets to keep his job which must be worth at least 20 seats to the Tories at the next GE.
What is the purpose of the Lib Dems as they don’t even do by-elections now?

]]> By: Greenfield http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24583 Greenfield Sun, 22 Jul 2007 18:06:03 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24583 I think Dennis is right and also I'm sure they would split two or more ways if we had a real form of PR in all our elections.I wouldnt like to be a Tory today & I guess some of their recent comments on the various Blogs show how cornered/desperate they really are.History will show whether the Tories are travelling the road of the Liberal Party after the first World War. I think Dennis is right and also I’m sure they would split two or more ways if we had a real form of PR in all our elections.I wouldnt like to be a Tory today & I guess some of their recent comments on the various Blogs show how cornered/desperate they really are.History will show whether the Tories are travelling the road of the Liberal Party after the first World War.

]]> By: boldkevin http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24503 boldkevin Sat, 21 Jul 2007 18:40:20 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24503 Andrew Grice, The Independent -'A glitzy expensive Tory campaign was outgunned by the traditional pavement politics of the Liberal Democrats under their brilliant election guru Lord (Chris) Rennard.' Andrew Grice, The Independent -’A glitzy expensive Tory campaign was outgunned by the traditional pavement politics of the Liberal Democrats under their brilliant election guru Lord (Chris) Rennard.’

]]> By: littlejohnuk http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24486 littlejohnuk Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:00:11 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24486 An astute observation - i think the idea of the Tories becoming a modern `Christian Democrat` party is fine on paper but there's already one - New Labour! If you're going to do PR puffery, as Blair did, you have to do it properly! It seems the mass of British people have come to the conclusion that the new consenus in British politics - more spending on NHS, Education etc and a more liberal society is a `settlement` - the more astute among observers have noted that whereas Blair closed the blue water pushing the Tories ever rightwards, Menzies Campbell and his team are creating yellow water in between Nu Labour and Lib Dems. As one Labour stalwart said to me `I find it all very dangerous` - `what` i replied the policies. Yes not that they're not practical - just that they threaten Labour! An astute observation – i think the idea of the Tories becoming a modern `Christian Democrat` party is fine on paper but there’s already one – New Labour! If you’re going to do PR puffery, as Blair did, you have to do it properly!

It seems the mass of British people have come to the conclusion that the new consenus in British politics – more spending on NHS, Education etc and a more liberal society is a `settlement` – the more astute among observers have noted that whereas Blair closed the blue water pushing the Tories ever rightwards, Menzies Campbell and his team are creating yellow water in between Nu Labour and Lib Dems.

As one Labour stalwart said to me `I find it all very dangerous` – `what` i replied the policies. Yes not that they’re not practical – just that they threaten Labour!

]]> By: Dennis Wake http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24482 Dennis Wake Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:48:12 +0000 http://www.libdemvoice.org/what-the-media-says-1059.html#comment-24482 Maybe the Conservatives are finished as a major force. There will always be some support for a free market, tax cutting party and if they want to continue to exist they should put forward their core beliefs and hope to secure a reasonable number of seats in Parliament to advance their cause. When Tony Blair came to power no Conservative leader whatever policy he advocated had a chance of winning then or for some years but the time will come when people tire of Labour and they will want different policies. Blair won not because he promised to keep some of Mrs Thatcher's reforms but because people were sick of the Tories and wanted a change and he seemed like a breath of fresh air at that time. Labour will lose power when people become tired of them and there is an attractive alternative leader with different policies. William Hague said no Tory leader could beat Blair and he was right. There is also a sense that the sort of people who are in the Conservative party are unrepresentative of modern people and while that has always been so there is no longer much demand for "our betters" to rule over us. Cameron knows this but he is in a dilemma as inorder to change things he feels he has to ditch that image but in doing so he has also ditched his core supporters. Maybe the Conservatives are finished as a major force. There will always be some support for a free market, tax cutting party and if they want to continue to exist they should put forward their core beliefs and hope to secure a reasonable number of seats in Parliament to advance their cause.

When Tony Blair came to power no Conservative leader whatever policy he advocated had a chance of winning then or for some years but the time will come when people tire of Labour and they will want different policies. Blair won not because he promised to keep some of Mrs Thatcher’s reforms but because people were sick of the Tories and wanted a change and he seemed like a breath of fresh air at that time.

Labour will lose power when people become tired of them and there is an attractive alternative leader with different policies. William Hague said no Tory leader could beat Blair and he was right.

There is also a sense that the sort of people who are in the Conservative party are unrepresentative of modern people and while that has always been so there is no longer much demand for “our betters” to rule over us. Cameron knows this but he is in a dilemma as inorder to change things he feels he has to ditch that image but in doing so he has also ditched his core supporters.

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