Category Archives: General Election

Nick Clegg leaders’ debate win: your LDV reader

By Stephen Tall | Fri 16th April 2010 - 10:30 am

Here’s a welcome problem to have this morning … wading our way through the sheer volume of media news that’s positive for the Lib Dem following Nick Clegg’s terrific performance in last night’s televised lesaders’ debate.

Let’s make a start with the newspaper editorials:

Nick Clegg’s night (Guardian)

Expectations shape reactions, which is why Britain’s first televised leaders’ debate will be judged not just in terms of how the three men involved in it performed, but what was predicted before they began speaking. On that measure, Nick Clegg thrived, David Cameron disappointed and Gordon Brown survived.

The Other One Wins: Nick Clegg seized his moment (Times)

Nick Clegg took his chance and changed a two-man competition into something that looks more like a three-horse race.

Clegg uses first TV debate to best effect (Telegraph)

Tagged leaders tv debate | 7 Comments

Agree with Nick, too? Here’s 4 things you can do today #iagreewithnick

By Mark Pack | Fri 16th April 2010 - 10:10 am

You’ve watched the debate, you’ve heard Nick Clegg, and like millions of others you like what you saw and heard. But what next?

Here are four simple things you can do to help turn Nick’s words into
actions that bring about real change and make Britain fairer:

1. Join the Liberal Democrats:

Politics isn’t about one man bands: Nick Clegg and Vince Cable need a strong team behind them supporting their work.

Tagged featured and ldv election appeal | 7 Comments

Okay, we can breathe again: who do you think won?

By The Voice | Thu 15th April 2010 - 10:10 pm

Time for the post-match spin – what did LDV’s readers make of it all?

Update: Sun/YouGov poll result puts Clegg on 51%, Cameron 29%, Brown 19%
ITV poll shows same result: Clegg 43%, Cameron 26%, Brown 20%

32 Comments

Leaders’ Debate live-chat: now open

By Stephen Tall | Thu 15th April 2010 - 8:34 pm

Here at Lib Dem Voice, there is live-chat co-hosted with Mark Thompson’s Mark Reckons blog. Live-blogging action from Lib Dems can be found at:

Paul Walter’s Liberal Burblings
Tom King’s The World Forgetting, By The World Forgot
Burke’s Works’ The Bureau of Sabotage

<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=b4c6b08eb8">Leader Election Debate Live Chat – 1</a>

LDVideo #GE2010 #GoNick – Nick anticipates tonight’s televised debate. But how are we all feeling?

By Stephen Tall | Thu 15th April 2010 - 7:45 pm

Today’s election campaign has been something of a rest-day for the leaders, with no major set-piece launches or interviews, as all three focus on tonight’s televised leaders’ debate. The preparations have dominated the political news all day, with intense speculation about who’ll win, and indeed whether anybody will win.

In the two video clips below, Nick Clegg speaks about how he’s feeling ahead of the biggest night of his political life. But how are LDV’s readers feeling? Excited, nervous; both, neither?

Clegg on debate preparations – Nick Clegg has spoken about his nerves and how he has been preparing for the prime ministerial TV debate.

Tagged leaders tv debate | Leave a comment

Lib Dem manifesto launch: Clegg’s speech and BBC video

By The Voice | Thu 15th April 2010 - 6:50 pm

In case you missed yesterday’s launch of the Lib Dem manifesto – and want to catch up ahead of tonight’s first debate – here are two treats for you. First, the BBC report of the launch. And then Nick’s speech at the launch … in full.

Lib Dems to unveil ‘fair’ pledges – The Liberal Democrats present their election manifesto, saying it is a “serious” plan for government voters can “trust”.

And now here’s Nick’s speech launching the manifesto:

2 Comments

Pollwatch Day 9 #GE2010 – Lib Dems at 20%, Lab 31%, Tories 38%

By Stephen Tall | Thu 15th April 2010 - 6:30 pm

Three new polls cpublished today:

What does all this mean for Anthony Wells’ UK Polling Report ‘poll of polls’ average? Well, there’s no change from yesterday:

Con 38% (n/c), Lab 31% (+1%), Lib Dem 20% (n/c)

So far, as Mark Pack has already blogged, the general trend for the Lib Dems is upwards – and that was before yesterday’s good publicity for the Lib Dem manifesto launch. Of course, …

Also posted in Polls | Leave a comment

The first televised leaders’ debate – join us for the live-chat tonight!

By Stephen Tall | Thu 15th April 2010 - 6:00 pm

After all the anticipation, tonight sees the first of the live televised leaders debates, from 8.30 pm on ITV1. We suspect this may just attract some interest among LDV readers, and so we’ve teamed up with Mark Thompson of the award-winning Mark Reckons blog to co-host a live-chat for the three debates.

Join us here from 8.30 pm (or a little earlier if the excitement escalates to fever-pitch sooner) …

Tagged leaders tv debate | Leave a comment

3 to see: Lib Dem #GE2010 campaign coverage (15/4/10)

By Stephen Tall | Thu 15th April 2010 - 9:50 am

Pushed for time, but want to keep up-to-date with how the campaign’s going? Here are today’s must-reads …

Liberal Democrat manifesto: Tough but fair (Guardian)

There’s a warm welcome for the party’s manifesto from the two progressive quality papers. Here’s the Grauniad:

Right now, the Liberal Democrats are in the midst of what may be the most important 48 hours of their entire election campaign. The manifesto launch suggests that the Lib Dems are well aware of the stakes. For their moment in the spotlight, they chose a focused, costed and serious political message. Unlike the design-led offerings of their opponents,

…

4 Comments

Here comes the debate worm

By Mark Pack | Thu 15th April 2010 - 9:20 am

I’ve written previously about my expectation that we’d see a worm grace the stage during the televised party leader debates. However, whilst I speculated about the worm being in Channel 4’s charge, looking to a traditional TV broadcast was just too old school of me. In fact, there will be a worm – but it’s a Facebook worm. As their news release explains:

With Britain’s first ever prime ministerial debate taking place on Thursday, Facebook’s 23 million UK users are being invited to participate in a mass “dial test” which will enable them rate the debates in real time and

…

Tagged leaders tv debate | 3 Comments

The #GE2010 Golden Half-Dozen: pick of the Lib Dem blogs (14th April)

By Stephen Tall | Wed 14th April 2010 - 11:00 pm

During the election campaign Lib Dem Voice is each day highlighting six blog-posts from the Lib Dem Blogs Aggregator which we think are well worth reading.

Here’s our pick from 14th April …

2010 General Election Diary Day 9: Frit, frit, frit! (Nick Barlow)

Why BBC1 should ’empty chair’ David Cameron next Monday: “Occasionally, they could flash up the caption ‘You’re watching a Panorama special: Jeremy Paxman interviewing David Cameron. David Cameron has declined to appear. Next week, we’ll do the same with Gordon Brown if he doesn’t turn up.’”

A preview of the first leaders’ debate

…

1 Comment

Votes or seats? Why Nick Clegg won’t, can’t and shouldn’t answer that hung Parliament question

By Stephen Tall | Wed 14th April 2010 - 9:30 pm

Ever since Nick Clegg launched his line on a hung Parliament – that he would talk to the party that won the “strongest mandate” and was keeping all options open – the question has been asked (though not by the public): does that mean the party with most votes or the party with most seats?

And ever since Nick has been asked that question, he has studiously refused to answer it. He stonewalled Paxman on Monday, and at the Lib Dem manifesto launch today.

And you know what? He’s absolutely right to refuse to be drawn. Here’s why: the …

Also posted in Op-eds | 25 Comments

Lib Dem general election manifesto: round-up of our coverage

By Mark Pack | Wed 14th April 2010 - 7:50 pm

The launch of a party’s general election manifesto is a big story, so we’ve been covering it in a series of posts here on The Voice in the last 24 hours. If you’re just catching up on our coverage now, here’s a summary of the posts:

Liberal Democrat manifesto: advance peek – everyone can read the manifesto now, but this post summaries the main points and gives some of the background
Liberal Democrat manifesto by numbers – blogging the manifesto launch
Lib Dem manifesto launch attracts media plaudits – Stephen reports on the very positive response to the LibDem launch

…

Also posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged general election manifesto, george osborne and vince cable | 5 Comments

Lib Dem manifesto launch attracts media plaudits

By Stephen Tall | Wed 14th April 2010 - 2:10 pm

Five years ago, I think it’s only fair to say, the Lib Dem manifesto launch was not without its hitches. Today’s was toruble-free. The website is slick and engaging, the Nick & Vince double-act showcased their complementary skills, and the media response has been almost surprisingly favourable.

In the New Statesman, James Macintyre assesses that the Lib Dems are on a roll:

The Liberal Democrats, who launched their manifesto this morning, are having an undeniably good week. … Nick Clegg, who held his own against Jeremy Paxman this week, has undoubtedly matured as leader, just in time for an

…

Tagged general election manifesto | 7 Comments

A tale of two Shadow Chancellors

By Mark Pack | Wed 14th April 2010 - 1:20 pm

Two party leaders.

Two manifesto launches.

Two questions asking about financial details.

Two leaders turning to their Shadow Chancellor.

One Shadow Chancellor answers the question straight away.

One Shadow Chancellor, er…, despite having advanced warning is still flipping through the paperwork in front of him when the party leader turns to him and can’t answer the question.

Can you guess which was Vince Cable and which was George Osborne?

Here’s a clue:

Tagged george osborne and vince cable | Leave a comment

Attempt to set world record for most enthusiastic backer of election candidate narrowly fails

By Mark Pack | Wed 14th April 2010 - 12:50 pm

Also posted in Humour | 3 Comments

3 to see: Lib Dem #GE2010 campaign coverage (14/4/10)

By Stephen Tall | Wed 14th April 2010 - 10:55 am

Pushed for time, but want to keep up-to-date with how the campaign’s going? Here are today’s must-reads …

Lib Dems promise ‘a fairer Britain’ (PA)

The Liberal Democrats have launched their General Election manifesto, pledging to build a fairer Britain if elected on May 6. The 109-page document promises fairer taxes, economic reform, a £2.5 billion pupil premium for the poorest children and sweeping constitutional change include a new electoral system.

LDV Co-Editor Mark Pack treated Lib Dem Voice readers to a sneak preview last night.

Tory lead narrows amid huge voter disenchantment, Times poll finds (The Times)

It’s …

Pollwatch Day 8 #GE2010 – Lib Dems at 20%, Lab 31%, Tories 38%

By Stephen Tall | Wed 14th April 2010 - 10:25 am

Four new polls came out last night, published today:

What does all this mean for Anthony Wells’ UK Polling Report ‘poll of polls’ average? Well, there’s an ever-so-slight narrowing of the gap between Labour and the Tories – or (looked at another way) a slight lengthening of Labour’s lead over the Lib Dems:

Con 38% (n/c),

…

Also posted in Polls | Leave a comment

Liberal Democrat manifesto by numbers

By Mark Pack | Wed 14th April 2010 - 9:35 am

The Liberal Democrat manifesto by numbers:

9 different formats for the manifesto (hard copy, video, on screen, iPhone app etc.)
6 photos of Nick Clegg
5 pages of index
4 pages of detailed costsing
4 steps to a fairer Britain
3 photos of Vince Cable
0 mentions of chocolate

Also posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged Danny Alexander, featured, general election manifesto, nick clegg, patrick wintour, sarah teather and vince cable | 7 Comments

Liberal Democrat manifesto: advance peek

By Mark Pack | Tue 13th April 2010 - 10:00 pm

Tomorrow Nick Clegg is launching the Liberal Democrat manifesto, but tonight The Voice can give you an advance peek at what it will be saying. We’d like to report that this is due to our cunning radio controlled artificial pigeon which we have flown in to the roof of Cowley Street and used to point a webcam at the desk of the Director of Campaigns, but instead it’s thanks to the more prosaic method of receiving email, reading it and then blogging. Ah well, next time.

But back to the manifesto and let’s start with the cover:

Also posted in Party policy and internal matters | Tagged featured, general election manifesto and nick clegg | 12 Comments

Lib Dem Linda aims to kick Nads out of Parliament

By Stephen Tall | Tue 13th April 2010 - 8:30 pm

LDV readers may have already seen Lib Dem candidate Linda Jack‘s advertising campaign video aimed at raising funds to unseat controversial Tory MP Nadine Dorries in Mid-Bedfordshire. Launched today, Linda’s ad will appear on leading political blogs and web sites to raise funds, as well as those searching for Nadine Dorries on Google.

Also posted in Online politics and YouTube | Tagged linda jack, mid-bedfordshire and nadine dorries | 11 Comments

Tory manifesto “a blueprint for fake change” say Lib Dems

By Stephen Tall | Tue 13th April 2010 - 7:50 pm

My LDV Co-Editor Mark Pack has just posted up the party’s official response to today’s launch of the Tory manifesto. If that doesn’t sate you, then here’s Nick’s verdict courtesy the BBC …

Clegg: ‘You can’t trust the Tories’ – Nick Clegg has said the Conservatives cannot be trusted, after the Tory party launched its election manifesto ”to change Britain for the better”.

1 Comment

Conservative manifesto: the Liberal Democrat reaction

By Mark Pack | Tue 13th April 2010 - 7:41 pm

Here’s the party’s line:

The Conservative manifesto is a blueprint for fake change. It is a depressing and dishonest con with a massive spending black hole at its centre, threatening an inevitable hike in VAT.

In the attached document, we detail where the Conservatives have failed to justify their promises, and why they should not be trusted with the keys to No. 10.

Commenting, Nick Clegg’s Chief of Staff, Danny Alexander said:

“The truth is that you cannot trust the Conservatives. David Cameron simply believes it is his turn to take over in the same way the two old parties have taken turns for

…

Tagged conservative party and Danny Alexander | Leave a comment

The other TV election debates

By Mark Pack | Tue 13th April 2010 - 6:10 pm

Here are the details of the debates the BBC is hosting between various Cabinet ministers and their shadows from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. All will be on the BBC’s Daily Politics show on BBC2.

Monday 19th April 2:15-3:00
The Foreign Affairs Debate. David Miliband for Labour, William Hague for the Conservatives and Ed Davey for the Lib Dems go head to head in live debate. Cross examined by Andrew Neil and BBC Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner.

Tuesday 20th April 2:15-3:00
The Crime Debate. Alan Johnson for Labour, Chris Grayling for the Conservatives and Chris Huhne for the Lib Dems go head to head …

5 Comments

Photo evidence – Geoff Hoon for sale!

By The Voice | Tue 13th April 2010 - 3:50 pm

Last month Geoff Hoon was one of a clutch of Labour MPs caught on film by Channel 4’s Dispatches selling their services. It would appear from this photo that he’s now taking this very literally …

PS: what does this say about Labour’s confidence in their chances of holding onto Geoff Hoon’s seat of Ashfield? The Lib Dems’ Jason Zadrozny is mounting a strong challenge – you can visit his site, and find out how you can help Jason’s campaign here.

Tagged geoff hoon and jason zadrozny | 10 Comments

Over 13,000 raging against the election – and for the Lib Dems – on Facebook

By Stephen Tall | Tue 13th April 2010 - 3:30 pm

‘We got Rage Against the Machine to #1, we can get the Lib Dems into office!’ is the name of the independent Facebook group set up just 2 weeks ago, and which currently numbers well over 13,000 fans. Which means (with impeccable liberalism) that this unofficial grassroots movement is already almost as big as almost as the official Lib Dem Facebook group.

As the group’s creators state:

This is NOT a bandwagon! This group is intended to encourage those who would like to vote Lib Dem, but usually don’t in favour of strategic voting, that if we unite we can really see a change in the 2 party system.

Also, the group wasn’t set up by lib dems, it was set up by Ben Stockman. He sent Jon Morter (creator of the RATM group) an email asking if he would mention the group. Jon Morter liked the idea… and that’s how it took off!!

Our reference to the Christmas RATM effort is simply a recognition of the way people can join together for a purpose (any purpose!) using a social networking site. However, it’s good to see that Rage oppose two-party politics also lol (See http://tinyurl.com/ye2f582)

Want to promote the group to your non-Lib Dem Facebook friends? Then spread the word, using http://libdem2010.com as the direct link, or Digg it here.

The Voice’s favourite quote from the group?

Also posted in Online politics | Tagged facebook | 10 Comments

Clegg on bankers’ bonuses clampdown

By The Voice | Tue 13th April 2010 - 2:50 pm

If you missed LDV’s coverage of Nick Clegg’s plans to bring the bankers’ bonus culture under control this morning, then why not catch up with the BBC coverage of the announcment:

Tagged banking, nick clegg and vince cable | Leave a comment

Good news on turnout and engagement

By Mark Pack | Tue 13th April 2010 - 2:20 pm

Two pieces of cheery news.

First, from the latest Sunday Times/YouGov poll:

I am so disillusioned with politics that I am seriously thinking of not voting at all in the coming general election:

Agree 15%
Disagree 73%

All things considered, 15% is a pretty low figure.

Second, from a survey of 18-25 year olds:

A survey of 18-25 year-olds, commissioned by new media age and conducted by Lightspeed Research, found 46% of those aged between 18 and 21 believe increased political activity online has stimulated their interest in the election, with the figure at 41% for 22-25 year-olds…

Also posted in Online politics and Polls | Tagged turnout | 1 Comment

Tactical unwind or tactical rewind?

By Mark Pack | Tue 13th April 2010 - 1:49 pm

For a long time after David Cameron’s election to leader of the Conservative Party there was widespread talk of “tactical unwind”, that is how his changes to the Conservative Party may result in much less anti-Tory tactical voting at the next general election. It’s one of the range of reasons that many Tories quote for believing that they will do better in terms of seat numbers than the overall vote numbers suggest.

However, what’s struck me for some time is how the overall political campaigning is playing out in a way that is likely to rewind the unwind.

For example, on cutting …

Also posted in Op-eds and Polls | Tagged featured | 7 Comments

How are the party leaders doing on Twitter?

By Mark Pack | Tue 13th April 2010 - 12:45 pm

I’ve used Edelman’s Tweetlevel tool for my monthly round-ups of how Liberal Democrat MPs are doing on Twitter, so the figures just outabout how the party leaders are doing as measured by that tool caught my eye.

Some of the headline findings are:

Gordon Brown wins Twitter war by volume
Clegg is the leader with most favourability
Cameron “gets people’s goats” – exciting most negative Tweets, but Cameron’s negative ratings have decreased since the call of the General Election
Tory NI pledge gives Cameron significant uplift in favourability
Over 50,000 Tweets on the party leaders since 2^2nd March, with nearly half of that since General

…

Also posted in Online politics | Tagged david cameron, gordon brown, nick clegg and twitter | Leave a comment

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Category Archives: General Election

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