Author Archives: Mark Bryceland

Opinion: Liberal Democrats in conversation, an Indiegogo campaign

In April of this year, I organised a fundraising dinner for Simon Hughes in central London. Between courses we interviewed Nick Clegg, Lynne Featherstone and Simon about their early political interests and experiences. The answers were inspiring, the anecdotes hilarious and the audience were treated to a fascinating glimpse into the reasons why MPs get involved with politics in the first place.

The performances of Nick, Lynne and Simon challenged the all-too-common misperception that MPs are simply career politicians and members of a remote political class, far removed from the lives of the ordinary British public. Instead, the interviews highlighted a real diversity of backgrounds, professions and motivations in those who enter politics. After dinner, I experienced a eureka moment when a guest came to me and said, “If only the public could see the side of Nick we witnessed tonight”.  It was immediately evident that the interview format we trialled that evening could translate well into film, providing the party with a new and persuasive campaign medium.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged and | 3 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Geoffrey Payne
    I broadly agree with comrade Simon, although the extra problem with raising taxes is that we also have a cost of living crises, so people on low to medium incom...
  • Richard Whelan
    I attended the one on Friday and, like you said Caron, felt that the party really did want to know the views of members. I look forward to seeing what emerges ...
  • David Raw
    Correction : should be "South Africa House in Trafalgar Square"....
  • David Raw
    @ Neil Hickman Thanks for stirring a memory Neil. I was employed at LPO (Party HQ) way back in June 1964, and took part in the massive international campaign...
  • Tom Reeve
    What strikes me about this discussion is what is absent from it. We are debating how to fund services to the last decimal place, and nobody mentions that the we...