Tag Archives: narrative

Iain Donaldson

Opinion: Delivering a stronger economy and a fairer society

By Iain Donaldson | Tue 28th October 2014 - 11:56 am

Liberal democrats

The Liberal Democrat pre-manifesto contains a lot of good policy, but what it is lacking is the narrative to pull all those disparate threads into a single powerful statement of who we are and what we stand for.  In this short article I will try to provide just that.
In 2010 we knew that our country was headed for a major recession and that the first priority of the Liberal Democrats in government must be to protect the poorest whilst setting in place the infrastructure necessary in order to re-grow our economy, close the deficit and start to repay the national debt.  That is why we have invested so heavily in cutting taxes for the poorest, improving education for all our children and ensuring that we research new technologies to keep us at the forefront of innovation so that as the world comes out of recession this country is able to meet the new demands.
Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 43 Comments
Steve Bradley

Opinion: Our liberal identity crisis

By Steve Bradley | Mon 9th December 2013 - 3:34 pm

Does anyone know why the Liberal Democrats exist ? It’s an important question.

IPSOS/Mori research in 2012 into voter perceptions found that 64% “don’t know what the Liberal Democrats stand for these days” (57% for Labour, 44% the Tories). This was echoed even amongst party supporters, with 41% of Lib Dem voters unclear (42% for Labour voters, 37% Conservatives). “Our polling now shows that the Liberal Democrats have the toughest task telling voters what they stand for”, the report concluded.

We need to acknowledge that our party has an identity challenge nationally, and blaming the coalition would be too convenient. …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged | 81 Comments
Stephen Tall

Two thoughts on Clegg’s Manchester speech (2 of 2): edging towards the right narrative

By Stephen Tall | Sun 23rd June 2013 - 4:15 pm

Two parts of Nick Clegg’s Manchester speech particularly caught my eye. The first — how not to repeat our mistake on tuition fees — I’ve blogged about here. Here’s the second:

Governing has carried a cost. We have taken a hit; Our opponents try to use the fact we are in government nationally against us locally. And I cannot stress enough how proud and grateful I am for the grace and determination with which you have absorbed all of that.

But I also know that if we try and turn back the clock… Hankering for the comfort blanket

…

Continue reading »
Posted in News | Also tagged | 12 Comments
Stephen Tall

The Lib Dem narrative dilemma: forget about 2010, start looking forward to 2015

By Stephen Tall | Wed 12th June 2013 - 9:50 am

your vote matters lib dem leafletWe Lib Dems are past masters of the squeeze message. “The Tories can’t win here: vote Lib Dem to keep Labour out”; “Labour can’t win here: vote Lib Dem to keep the Tories out”.

But since 2010 we have become the victims of a just-as-vicious squeeze message. Labour says: “Lib Dems are propping up a toxic right-wing Tory government pushing through disgraceful policies (which we will quietly sign up to later — viz cutting child benefit for wealthier parents — once we’ve capitalised on public anger).” …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 53 Comments
Jem Thomas

Opinion: Identity and narrative – ignored at our peril

By Jem Thomas | Sat 15th May 2010 - 3:50 pm

Policy, relationships, practicalities, even thinking about a little bit of governance and leadership – these will all undoubtedly all pre-occupying the minds of many senior LibDems (and no doubt Conservatives). But right from day one of this coalition, the LibDems, probably more than any other party, will need to keep two things clear in their consciousness – those of identify and narrative.

The LibDems for generations have enjoyed an easy identity – the third party, centre-left, progressive even maverick – even though it didn’t feature strongly on the radar of the general public. Well it does now – with …

Continue reading »
Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged and | 9 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Mohammed Amin
    Many congratulations....
  • Simon R
    I'm not sure I like the idea of being 'populists' - with all the connotations of simplistic solutions that don't actually work. So I'd prefer to think of the d...
  • Mike Peters
    Congratulations! Well deserved....
  • Simon R
    @Bigtalltim: Net migration has added around 4 million to the UK population in the last 10 years alone. Every one of those people needs somewhere to live. It is...
  • David Raw
    @ Steve Trevethan, you ask : "Has our Royal Family benefited for the considered welcoming of immigrants ?" To be perfectly honest, Steve, as a radical Libera...