There will doubtless be those who are disappointed that the rebellion against Ed Davey’s leadership turned out to be big on pitchforks and flaming torches but not so hot on turnout. A couple of seemingly uncoordinated resignations, talk of a “spicy” Parliamentary Party meeting but, at the end of it all, we are where we were in terms of the Leader. Whether that means that there will be some changes in approach in response to criticism is yet to be seen, but it is clear that whilst there might be unhappiness in some quarters, the mood favours evolution rather than evolution.

In that sense, we are where we were six months before the General Election, where initial expectations of thirty seats were subsequently ratcheted up in response to emerging opportunities. And it has to be noted that, for all the concerns that have been raised about how the Party is run and led, the same people who delivered us the best General Election result in a century (in terms of seats) are still holding the reins. Perhaps we should show more faith in their judgement, potentially three years out from the next General Election?

But we’re liberals, we tend to rebel against the command and control, centralised method by which the Party seems to be run these days. We want some passion and to see our values to the fore in the words of our leadership. We want, if you like, to be the cavaliers in a world of political roundheads, rather than a Party which tiptoes around a core vote in seats across southern England.

Time will tell whether or not Ed can win over the critics but, for the timebeing, perhaps a shot across the bows is for the best.

A morning in the sun for the first tier of Local Government

Saturday morning saw the now annual ALDC Conference for Town and Parish Councillors, with guest appearances from Baroness Ros Scott, former Party President and now President of the National Association of Local Councils, Manuela Perteghella, whose political career started as a parish councillor in Welford-on-Avon just seven years ago, and Zoe Franklin, the Party spokesperson on Local Government in the Commons.

With sessions on how to create new Town and Parish Councils, taking on assets from principle authorities and what difference Town and Parish councillors can make in their communities, it was a valuable reminder that, with nearly 10,000 councils across the tier in England, and approximately 100,000 councillors serving on them, it’s exactly the sort of community politics that Liberal Democrats should be getting involved in.

A walk down memory lane…

Many, many years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I was the Secretary of the Party’s London Region. Once a bureaucrat, always a bureaucrat, I guess. And now, I’m back in a rather different capacity, as Returning Officer for the Regional Party’s Executive Committee elections. And, whilst I recognise some of the faces, many of them are new to me, which is a valuable reminder that political parties evolve, just as the issues that they face do. And, as they do, a mixture of experience and more youthful enthusiasm is useful. Sometimes, exiting stage left, pursued by a bear, is probably a good tactical move…

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And finally, what do we have for you today? Richard Whelan has responded to Gordon Lishman’s article on social care, whilst Jack Meredith explains why “militant democracy” is needed to stare down the far-right. And, of course, we’ll have Mathew Hulbert’s regular column because it wouldn’t be Monday without him.

* Mark Valladares is the Monday Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice.