Author Archives: Scott Partridge

How the Lib Dems can lead after the Referendum Result

The three days following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union saw Britain’s political landscape descend into chaos. Whilst both the Conservatives and Labour have been damaged both by intra-party division, the Liberal Democrats have remained unscathed, benefitting considerably from the turmoil the vote to leave has incited.

Division is rife within the Conservatives, with the likelihood of a leader attractive to both pro-and anti-Brexiteers in serious doubt. The 16 million that voted to Remain are unlikely to heed Boris Johnson’s call to “build bridges” with a man many perceive has just chosen isolationism over unity and progress. Likewise, 17 million Leavers are unlikely to vote for Theresa May, who’s second favourite to command the leadership, as David Cameron’s resignation is symbolic of the incompatibility of a Remain captain commanding a Leave ship. Whilst it is arguable that many Leavers have switched allegiances due to the perception that they voted on the basis of intangible promises (emphasised by Nigel Farage and Iain Duncan Smith’s abandoning of the Leave campaign’s promise that £350m would be injected into the NHS), it is likely that many are disillusioned with the Conservative Party as it has become synonymous with fear mongering, fragmentation and mistrust.

Posted in Op-eds | Tagged | 20 Comments
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  • expats
    eter Martin 10th Jul '26 - 9:17am..Sure, it would be amusing to see Count Binface win. but it doesn’t look good that some in supposedly serious political part...
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    @Roland Tell that to the low earners who pay tax after a limited personal allowance...
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    @ David, I don't usually quote Richard Murphy but if you want more figures on the cost to UK taxpayers of the tax scams run by the "independent dependency", ...
  • Peter Martin
    If the Lib Dems, Tories and Labour are boycotting this election then the advice to voters should be to boycott too! Sure, it would be amusing to see Count B...
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    Clapton? Love his guitar riffs....