As MPs return to a febrile Westminster, what should we look out for?
That was the question The Observer posed, with Isabel Hardman answering regarding the Conservatives and George Eaton on Labour. Here’s what I said about the Liberal Democrats:
In theory, the political landscape looks remarkably promising for Liberal Democrats.
Leaders of the two main parties are both deeply unpopular, with “neither” being the most popular choice when voters are asked who they would like as prime minister? Check. Lib Dems have a distinctively different position from both Labour and Conservatives on the biggest issue of the day? Check. Membership at record levels? Check. Raising as much in donations from non-trade union sources as Labour? Check. Regularly gaining seats at council byelections? Check.
The reality is, of course, not quite so rosy – only just approaching regular double figures in the polls, 12 MPs and self-inflicted mistakes such as over that recent Brexit vote.
The challenge now is for the party both to make its own luck and to seize the lucky breaks that others offer up to turn that opportunity into reality.
You can read the full piece here.
The bits where you say ‘Check’ does not give a positive spin for us if trying to build us up.
When chances come we do not seem to act quick enough.
We seem to do things at a snails pace and the opportunity passes us by.
It does not help when we get little coverage in the BIAS! press
As we are the Tortoise in this race with the Hare that is why I believe we should ask the voter in our leaflets about our policies. They are then out in the Country stimulating conversation, other parties whilst probably ,later, implementing those ideas, we are at the forefront instigating debate.
Yes we make mistakes,probably still will but by admitting to be human to the voter we may gain their respect.
Given the positives, the question must be why are we not doing better in opinion polls ?
quite simple, Wilf, the public at large get their information, which forms their opinions, from the press. The press are the source mainly used by broadcasters, to form their agendas. Furthermore, right-wing interests, I discover, have even got control of the newspaper distribution networks, so that some papers are in plentiful supply and others are not. The only paper to give us any coverage in recent months has been The New European, for obvious reasons, otherwise there seems to be an embargo on reporting anything about the Liberal Democrats(let alone any of the minor parties).. It is hard to believe that they refuse to give us better coverage, especially as we have similar membership figures to the Tory party. Just shows how biased everything is in their favour, and no MP is willing to raise the question as he knows he will have a contract put out on him.