Lib Dem Voice has polled our members-only forum to discover what Lib Dem members think of the General Election results. Some 1065 party members responded – thank you – and we’re publishing the full results.
Of the former MPs which stood for election, but failed to regain their seats we asked if you would like to see them Enter the House of Lords; Run for Mayor of London; Start work on 2020; Go on I’m a Celebrity or have no answer.
There was only one choice per MP, and I regret not asking about the Scottish Parliament / Welsh Assembly.
Below are the selected highlights:
Enter the House of Lords
- 547 – Vince Cable
463 – Charles Kennedy
287 – Simon Hughes
152 – Bob Russell
124 – Nick Harvey
114 – Lynne Featherstone
106 – John Thurso
100 – Norman Baker
Although we’ve already had Messrs Cable, Baker and Hughes state that they won’t be going to the Lords.
Run for Mayor of London
- 240 – Lynne Featherstone
215 – Simon Hughes
150 – Vince Cable
Of course this will be a choice for London Liberal Democrats, and there is no pre-requisite of having been an MP to be our candidate.
Start work on 2020
- 738 – Jo Swinson
713 – Julian Huppert
637 – Steve Webb
620 – Ed Davey
These four had clear support from Lib Dem Voice members in hoping that they would be back in 2020, and whilst selections haven’t taken place, I’m sure the local parties would be more than welcoming if you wanted to lend a hand.
Go on I’m a Celebrity
Whether it’s to raise the profile, or just plain punishment, 136 readers wouldn’t mind seeing Danny Alexander and 86 readers David Laws having a fortnight of fun with Ant and Dec.
- 1,900+ Lib Dem paid-up party members are registered with LibDemVoice.org. 1065 completed the latest survey, which was conducted between 13th and 15th May.
- Please note: we make no claims that the survey is fully representative of the Lib Dem membership as a whole. However, LibDemVoice.org’s surveys are the largest independent samples of the views of Lib Dem members across the country, and have in the past offered accurate guides to what party members think.
- For further information on the reliability/credibility of our surveys, please refer to Stephen Tall’s That LibDemVoice survey on the party presidency (which, ahem, called it wrong): 8 thoughts from me, Mark Pack’s FAQs: Are the Liberal Democrat Voice surveys of party members accurate? and polling expert Anthony Wells’ verdict, On that poll of Lib Dem members.
- The full archive of our members’ surveys can be viewed at www.libdemvoice.org/category/ldv-members-poll
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9 Comments
“….Whether it’s to raise the profile, or just plain punishment, 136 readers wouldn’t mind seeing Danny Alexander and 86 readers David Laws having a fortnight of fun with Ant and Dec.”
OK it’s a fair cop. I was one of the 136. 🙂
OK, if Comrade Tilley is willing to come clean, I was one of the 136 and of the 86 and I was thinking field punishment at the time!
We have for the first time in many years a significant number of members with recent ministerial experience. It would be a shame to waste this resource and credibility as the party seeks to develop policies to challenge the government and to supplant Labour as the progressive opposition to the Tories.
I for one do not see this Tory government lasting its full term if the progressive parties pull their weight, pool their resources and fight back. I don’t know if constitutionally in the Lib Dems a defeated PPC (whether ex MP or not) remains the PPC until someone else is chosen, but so many of former MPs have magnificent local brand recognition (if one must use that term) that they should immediately get out there, continue as if they were still MPs, attend functions, events etc and keep their name recognition high.
Agree with Jon, though in fairness, as individuals they will want to get their lives back on keel first.
On the question of the rule, there isn’t one, but on the principle that a PPC remains in post until the Autumn conference following the election, it would seem right and proper that a losing MP should automatically become the PPC until the constituency confirms or replaces him/her. And it should be for the Local Party to decide to judge whether to move that procedure early or later.
It is good for us to express opinions on these matters ( sorry, did not participate, went out of UK after elections) BUT, I think more important is what the defeated MPs feel. As seen by some already saying no to a peerage, they will have their own strong views on these matters.
I imagine that they will be an invaluable resource for the Parliamentary group, as well as the party as a whole, and likely much in demand this summer for fund-raisers and later AGM’s, but I do agree with Peter, they must be allowed time to relax, refresh and then decide for themselves what they wish to do. Similarly our target PPC’s.
My response was that almost all should be starting work on 2020, aside form those who would be too old, and even they should be starting work on 2020 on behalf of others. I really object to the option ‘send them to the Lords’! This is not what this party is about for heavens sake, we need to abolish the lords asap.
I hope our ex MPs attempt to maintain their dignity and not damage the image of the party by appearing on nauseating programmes like Ant & Dec> Hopefully, some can resume careers, obtain meaningful work , write books,
find work as political pundits. Start working with their local parties to regain their seats and campaign for a fair voting system.The House of Lords must be scrapped and replaced by a second chamber. The Party will recover.