Stephen was Editor (and Co-Editor) of Liberal Democrat Voice from 2007 to 2015, and writes at The Collected Stephen Tall. He writes a fortnightly column for ConservativeHome and 'The Underdog' column for Total Politics magazine. He edited the 2013 publication, The Coalition and Beyond: Liberal Reforms for the Decade Ahead, and is a Research Associate for the liberal think-tank CentreForum. He was awarded the inaugural Lib Dem ‘Blogger of the Year’ prize in 2006, was a councillor for eight years in Oxford, including a year as Deputy Lord Mayor, and appears frequently in the media in person, in print and online. Stephen combines his political interests with his professional life as Development Director for the Education Endowment Foundation, though writes here in a personal capacity. Follow @stephentall
The words ‘Good morning’ may seem overly ironic if you’re a Lib dem waking up this morning to the news of the party’s pretty awful 2011 election results. Here’s a quick round-up for those who’ve avoided the media so far today…
Scotland: a huge night for the SNP, with the Lib Dems and Labour both suffering a rout at the hands of the nationalists. With 59 of 73 results declared, the Lib Dems have just four seats, a loss of seven. It sounds like the party will end up with six MSPs, down from 16.
Today, in case you hadn’t noticed, is election day. There are national elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and local elections for 279 councils across England. And of course there’s the referendum to determine the voting system used for elections to Westminster.
Four years ago, in 2007, the Liberal Democrats were a party of opposition. Today, we’re in a Coalition government. Let’s recap the starting positions…
Scotland: the party is defending 16 seats (11 constituency MSPs, and five regional list MSPs), which was a drop of one compared to 2003. There are 129 contested seats for the Scottish parliament.
Lib Dem Voice polled our members-only forum recently to discover what Lib Dem members think of a variety of key issues, and what you make of the Lib Dems’ and Government’s performance to date. Over 500 party members responded, and we’ve been publishing the full results of our survey over the past week.
Today, in the final part of our survey, we focus on the performances of the leading lights of the Liberal Democrats — those of our MPs in the cabinet, those occupying ministerial positions, and other leading Lib Dems:
How would you rate the performances of the following leading …
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 500 party members have responded, and we’ll be publishing the full results this week.
Two-thirds of Lib Dem members say party on the right course
LDV asked: Do you think, as a whole, the Liberal Democrats are on the right course or on the wrong track? (Comparison with January’s figures.)
65% (61%) – The right course
26% (25%) – The wrong track
9%
Yesterday, Pollwatch looked at the current state of the parties; today it’s the turn of the party leaders, Messrs Clegg, Cameron and Miliband.
As with all polls, what follows comes with caveats. Four of the polling companies – YouGov, Ipsos-Mori, ComRes and Angus Reid – ask questions specifically to find out the public’s views of the party leaders. And each asks variants on the basic question – do you think Clegg/Cameron/Miliband are doing a good job – to come up with their figures, so comparison ain’t easy. For that reason, I’m taking a 3-month rolling average which isn’t very statistically ‘pure’, …
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 500 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
63% of Lib Dem members approve of the Coalition’s record to date
LDV asked: Do you approve or disapprove of the Coalition Government’s record to date? (Comparison with January’s figures.)
A total of 24 polls were published during April. Now, as our readers know, LDV doesn’t cover them with the same breathless excitements as other parts of the media. Most poll movements are within the margin of error, so it is only looked at over a period of time that you can detect whether there has really been any significant movements between the parties. With those caveats in place, let’s succomb to the inevitable and start poll-obsessing…
Here are the April averages for the parties across the six polling companies which conducted surveys:
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
(Part I of ‘What Lib Dem members think about immigration’ is available to read here.)
LDV asked: Generally speaking, do you think that the issue of immigration has been discussed in Britain too much, too little or about the right amount over the last few years?
36% – It has been discussed too much
29% – It has been discussed about
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
Immigrants should be free to follow own cultural traditions, say 7-in-10 Lib Dems
LDV asked: Which of the following statements best reflects your view?
12% – People from other countries who come to live in Britain should leave behind their own cultural traditions and try to live like British people
69% – There is nothing wrong with people from other countries
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
38% of Lib Dem members would give Greens their second preference
LDV asked: Which party would be your SECOND preference if the system of Alternative Vote was introduced?
10% – I would not use my SECOND preference
14% – Conservative
16% – Labour
38% – Green
1% – UKIP
0% – BNP%
3% – Northern Irish / Scottish / Welsh party
19% – Other
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
69% say AV referendum result irrelevant to Coalition’s future
LDV asked: Imagine the NO campaign wins the referendum; if this happened do you think the Liberal Democrats should leave the coalition?
8% – The Liberal Democrats should leave the coalition if the NO campaign win
22% – The Liberal Democrats should stay in the coalition if the NO campaign win
69% –
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
LDV asked: Please tick any or all of the descriptions below that you would be happy for someone else to use to describe you:
87% – Liberal
65% – Progressive
64% – Social liberal
60% – Internationalist
55% – Pragmatic
52% – Reformer
45% – Centre-left
44% – Civil libertarian
44% – Radical
41% – Green
35% – Economic liberal
34% – Social democrat
33% – Moderate
30%
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re currently publishing the full results.
Bank Holiday? If you’re a Lib Dem it’s just another Leaflet Delivery Day…
With Royal Wedding obsession reaching fever-picth in some parts of the media, LDV asked: Which, if any, of the following are you planning to do for the Royal Wedding later this month?
5% – Attend a street party
1% – Watch the wedding procession in London
25% –
I will be voting ‘Yes’ to the alternative vote in the referendum on the 5th May. Here’s why.
For me, this referendum is all about choice. The ‘Yes’ campaign stands for giving voters greater choice — the choice to rank candidates standing for election according to our individual preference.
But, in fact, the ‘Yes’ campaign stands for more choice than just that. If you prefer, you don’t have to rank your candidates by preference. That’s right, under the alternative vote, you can express as much preference, or as little preference, as you choose:
A few weeks ago, the Voice highlighted that three Tory ministers — Eric Pickles, Carloline Spelman and Bob Neill — were up for a very special gong: the Friends of the Earth Talking Rubbish Award to help debunk the myths peddled by right-wing newspapers and some Tory ministers who ‘like to trash recycling’.
Well, after 1,000 online votes were cast, there is now a winner: yes, that jolly, red-faced Communities secretary Mr Pickles is the victor for peddling the myth that recycling means everyone is terrified of the ‘bin police’. “The iron fist of the municipal state has come down on people for the most minor of bin breaches,” he spluttered.
Announcing Mr Pickles’ huge win, Friends of the Earth’s waste campaigner Julian Kirby commented:
“Government Ministers have been keen to trash recycling when in reality it’s more popular and successful than ever. Eric Pickles in particular has been at war with councils when he should be supporting them to cut the amount we needlessly throw away. David Cameron needs to take control of his hysterical, squabbling Ministers and set a goal to halve the nation’s black bag waste by 2020.”
You can find out more about the Friends’ Talking half as much rubbish campaign here.
In the meantime, to celebrate his award let’s take the opportunity once again to re-live one of Mr Pickles’ best-loved TV appearances:
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re publishing the full results this week.
Almost 60% of Lib Dem members back nuclear power
LDV asked: Do you believe that nuclear power, alongside oil and gas and renewable sources, should be part of the UK’s energy mix?
58% – Yes, nuclear should be part of the mix
36% – No, nuclear power should play no part in the UK’s energy mix
5% – Don’t know
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 530 party members have responded, and we’re publishing the full results this week.
Seven-in-10 Lib Dems back coalition force, but members split on success of action
LDV asked: Do you think Britain, France, the US and other countries are right or wrong to take military action in Libya?
73% – Right to take military action
18% – Wrong to take military action
9% – Don’t know / No opinion
It’s been one of the worst-kept secrets in the media, and today Andrew Marr finally admitted he was one of the 30 people who’ve taken out a super-injunction to prevent reports of their private life being made public.
The BBC interviewer’s legal action dates back to 2008, and has been credited with popularising the use of super-injunctions, which not only prevent reporting of allegations, but also prevent the injunction being reported. Today’s Guardian reports:
Marr said he felt “uneasy” and “embarrassed” about the use of the high court injunction, which he won in 2008 to suppress reports of an extramarital affair.
Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of various political issues, the Coalition, and the performance of key party figures. Over 500 party members have responded, and we’re publishing the full results this week.
Lib Dems reject key health reform measure 61%-24%
LDV asked: The government are currently planning to reform the NHS. Currently health services are commissioned by local Health Trusts. Under the government’s plans local Health Trusts would be abolished, and health services would instead be commissioned by consortiums made up of groups of local GPs. From what you have …
The ‘Yes to Fairer Votes’ campaign has issued a new video highlighting how the first-past-the-vote system can turn an epic fail into a win, with MPs elected with less than 30% of the popular vote:
Lib Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne has ratcheted up the war of words against the Tories ahead of next week’s AV referendum, suggesting legal action might be necessary to stop Coalition colleagues spreading untruths. Today’s Guardian reports:
Huhne said the claims made by David Cameron, George Osborne and other Tories undermined their credibility. He is concerned about two claims made by the Conservatives – that a move to AV will need new counting machines, and so cost as much as £250m, and that it will favour extremist parties. He said: “If they don’t come clean on this, I am sure
Today the world of politics was rocked to its foundations by revelations that, with just 10 campaigning days to go before crucial elections and the first national referendum in a generation, rival Liberal Democrat and Conservative politicians are openly disagreeing with each other.
“We just never expected this,” confided one insider. “We all thought that once there was a Coalition they would agree on everything all the time. To see them carrying on like this, it’s almost as if there are fundamental disagreements of principle and policy separating them.”
I’m afraid I can’t find it in myself to join in the …
Here’s your starter for ten in our Saturday slot where we throw up an idea or thought for debate…
‘Can a progressive alliance between the Lib Dems and Labour work?’ That is the question asked in this month’s issues of Total Politics magazine, debated by Neal Lawson of the left-leaning Compass pressure group (who argues Yes) and Labour MP Michael Dugher (who says No).
Neal’s is a thoughtful piece, which recognises the ebbs and flows of history — but does not view them as inevitable. After al, it was only 13 years prior to the Coalition being formed that Paddy Ashdown …
There’s a kind of doomed inevitability to this story, which we’ve seen over the years with candidates from all parties… New person stands for council, with all the right qualifications — community-spirited, motivated, wanting to succeed — except one: they’re not safe.
They have an ‘alternative’ background. You may not find them propping up a saloon bar, or biding their time quietly waiting to become mayor, or ‘turning native’ the moment they’re elected… or any …
The new LDV members’ survey is now live. So if you are one of the 1,500+ registered members of the Liberal Democrat Voice forum – and any paid-up party member is welcome to join – then you now have the opportunity to make your views known.
Questions we’re asking this month include:
what you think of the Coalition’s proposals for the NHS, and the Government’s policies on Libya and nuclear energy;
your views on immigration policy and the Alternative Vote;
how you describe your political identity;
how satisfied you are with Nick Clegg as party leader, and leading figures
Welcome to the Golden Dozen, and our 217th weekly round-up from the Lib Dem blogosphere … Featuring the seven most popular stories beyond Lib Dem Voice according to click-throughs from the Aggregator (10-16 April, 2011), together with a hand-picked quintet, normally courtesy of LibDig, you might otherwise have missed.
Don’t forget: you can sign up to receive the Golden Dozen direct to your email inbox — just click here — ensuring you never miss out on the best of Lib Dem blogging.
As ever, let’s start with the most popular post, and work our way down:
Over at his New Statesman blog, David Allen Green — the magazine’s legal correspondent and author of the Jack of Kent blog — has explained his decision last week to become a fully paid-up member of the Liberal Democrats.
To be more accurate, he first lists all the reasons why he will be a dissenting member of the Lib Dems … before then highlighting how he was finally persuaded to join by ConservativeHome’s founding editor Tim Montgomerie analyses that ‘the current government is significantly more liberal than an entirely Conservative administration would otherwise be’.
Well, the same guys are also behind an unofficial Yes campaign Facebook page also: YES to Alternative Vote on 5th May, with over 3,000 fans to date. The page is replete with links, photos and videos — serious, and erm not so serious — which you can share with your friends’ network on Facebook.
If, like me, you’re an admirer of Nick Clegg — his grit, honesty and openness — there will have been plenty to admire this week. If, like me, you occasionally despair of Nick Clegg — the frankness can turn into a gaffe — there will have been plenty to make you despair this week.
First of all, the Best of Clegg…
As Nicholas Watt notes in the Guardian, Nick has been ‘finding his feet’, and ‘starting to show in public what he has always claimed in private – that he stands up to Cameron’. This has been clear from the …
Peter Martin @ David Allen, @ Tristan.
"That’s PFI, or something like it."
Absolutely. Except I'd drop the "something like it". It is PFI.
PFI is esse...
David Garlick I guess we all had some idea that the picture you illustrate was there but good/worrying to see it laid out so clearly.
Thank you....
cim @David Allen - Absolutely. If the best the Lib Dems have to offer is "competently managed decline" because anything else would be fiscally irresponsible, or ups...
cim So because some rich tech companies have a big marketing budget, a willingness to break national and international law, and a complete disregard for the truth ....
David Allen Tristan,
You're right in the sense that you didn't specifically call for PFI. But you did say "if you can persuade private money to provide the funding on t...
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Growing Asylum backlog undermines Government's case
Brechtian television: Leo McKern in Galileo (1964)
Good news on political donations?
Conference booked
Peter Martin 
David Garlick 
cim 
David Allen 