Throughout the festive season, LDV is offering our readers a load of repeats another chance to read the 12 most popular opinion articles which have appeared on the blog since 1st January, 20109. The eighth most-read LDV op-ed of 2010 was by new party member Chris Jones, and originally appeared on 12th May …
Opinion: I’ve joined the Liberal Democrats
Last night I watched as the helicopter above central London followed and filmed the new Prime Minister David Cameron’s car as it drove from Buckingham Palace back to Downing Street. I watched as Mr. Cameron arrived at number 10, made a speech outlining the difficulties and challenges that were ahead for the country and announced a formal coalition with the Lib Dems. I watched as he walked into his new home, the door opened by an unseen minion as always, turned, waved and crossed the threshold into a new era for British politics. As I watched I was at the same time on the internet, joining the Liberal Democrat party.
Now admittedly this was not apropos of nothing. I have been sympathetic to the Lib Dems for many years and have done some informal work for my local Lib Dem MP. However until last night I had never felt any need to crystallise my sympathies into membership. So why now? Well I’m not entirely sure but I’ll have a go at explaining myself.
As of yesterday the Lib Dems have power. It may not be in the manner that many would like, hatred of the Conservative ideology runs deep, but it is power nonetheless. As we hear more and more details emerging of how the coalition is to be formed and which policies are to be adopted, the greater this power seems to be. We have five Cabinet posts, including that of Deputy Prime Minister. The Tories are adopting our first £10,000 tax free policy; we will have political reform of the Lords, fully elected by PR; and of the voting system (subject to referendum); and have the right to recall MPs. Cameron and co. also appear to be sympathetic to our plans for a green economy.
This is more than even the most fanatical Lib Dem supporter would have thought possible a few months ago. It is a massive step forward for our party and I for one am feeling positive that we can have a real say in how the country is run. My membership of the Lib Dems expresses this optimistic feeling that after 13 years of being micro-managed by New Labour, we might be able to have a fairer, more liberal Britain.
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5 Comments
Hmmnnn… I wonder if the newbie is still feeling quite as bright eyed and bushy tailed about the decision now?
This is not my article, but I too joined the Lib Dems after the election for similar reasons and do not regret it in the slightest.
@ JP
It would be interesting to see how many people have joined since the GE, and how many people have resigned. I doubt very much the party would make the figures public of course, but I reckon there will be a net decrease rather than increase. I suppose it may take a while to filter through tho as some people just won’t renew memberships when they come up I suppose.
” As I watched I was at the same time on the internet, joining the Liberal Democrat party.”
Do Japanese political parties allow ex-patriate members?
Why? The Lib Dem and Labour parties publish annual statistics on membership in their financial reports (the Tories are unusual in that they do not, but there’s no requirement to do so). They’re also published around the time of all-member internal elections, to allow vote shares to be calculated.
The Lib Dem federal party does not maintain a running total of the count of explicit resignations so far as I’m aware, so that can’t be published due to not existing. The figures also aren’t kept up to date throughout the year (that would take time and effort and nobody cares enough).