Comments on: Reasons to be cheerful parts one and two http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/ “ferocity with a purpose” Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:19:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: MatGB http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/comment-page-1/#comment-782 MatGB Fri, 27 Jan 2006 21:30:00 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/#comment-782 From an observers perspective, the party is coming across better beneath the media fuss. Any Questions was excellent, all 3 came across well, with me being much more accepting of Ming than I was, although I'm still sold on Huhne. Of course, the explosion in the LibDem blogs (and my interest in finding them) has helped, but I'd agree James, reasons to be very cheerful, and plenty of time for the personal politics to blow over and the debate to go in favour of policy again. Then the victor gets a honeymoon to put the case, and media attention because of it. Given that essentially the LibDems know what they stand for and need to argue it better, whoever wins is in a better position than Cameron, who needs to figure what he needs theparty to stand for in order to win votes. Just need to remember he'll never defeat NuLab on his own, the enemy remains Labour, not the Tories. (Thus sayeth a Torbay living supporter, anyway; next time I'll actually be out campaigning for Adrian). From an observers perspective, the party is coming across better beneath the media fuss. Any Questions was excellent, all 3 came across well, with me being much more accepting of Ming than I was, although I’m still sold on Huhne.

Of course, the explosion in the LibDem blogs (and my interest in finding them) has helped, but I’d agree James, reasons to be very cheerful, and plenty of time for the personal politics to blow over and the debate to go in favour of policy again. Then the victor gets a honeymoon to put the case, and media attention because of it. Given that essentially the LibDems know what they stand for and need to argue it better, whoever wins is in a better position than Cameron, who needs to figure what he needs theparty to stand for in order to win votes.

Just need to remember he’ll never defeat NuLab on his own, the enemy remains Labour, not the Tories. (Thus sayeth a Torbay living supporter, anyway; next time I’ll actually be out campaigning for Adrian).

]]> By: James http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/comment-page-1/#comment-766 James Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:26:39 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/#comment-766 You make a very good point. I've already seen the party developing a much clearer policy position as a direct result of this leadership contest. What is interesting is that both the left and the right of the party have been severely weakened, leaving what looks very much like the beginnings of a healthy state of consensus (fairer taxes, not higher taxes, at least some shift from income onto environmental taxes, significantly more emphasis on localism, civil liberties...). It is fair to say that the party is in a crisis, but that crisis now has a very definite end (2 March 2006). Crises can be healthy sometimes. You make a very good point. I’ve already seen the party developing a much clearer policy position as a direct result of this leadership contest. What is interesting is that both the left and the right of the party have been severely weakened, leaving what looks very much like the beginnings of a healthy state of consensus (fairer taxes, not higher taxes, at least some shift from income onto environmental taxes, significantly more emphasis on localism, civil liberties…).

It is fair to say that the party is in a crisis, but that crisis now has a very definite end (2 March 2006). Crises can be healthy sometimes.

]]> By: Joe Otten http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/comment-page-1/#comment-765 Joe Otten Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:14:31 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/#comment-765 The Tories were in crisis more or less from Black Wednesday until the coronation of Dracula. It was a crisis that ended with an assassination. Why Kennedy's departure is seen as the start of a crisis, is, I guess, because journos like crises. Of course it is unfair to compare Kennedy to IDS, but the point remains. Howard's and Cameron's appointments were both optimistic steps for the Tories - we need to convey our optimism too. The Tories were in crisis more or less from Black Wednesday until the coronation of Dracula. It was a crisis that ended with an assassination. Why Kennedy’s departure is seen as the start of a crisis, is, I guess, because journos like crises. Of course it is unfair to compare Kennedy to IDS, but the point remains. Howard’s and Cameron’s appointments were both optimistic steps for the Tories – we need to convey our optimism too.

]]> By: James http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/comment-page-1/#comment-763 James Wed, 25 Jan 2006 18:11:17 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/#comment-763 Oi! That was part three! Be patient... :) Oi! That was part three!

Be patient… :)

]]> By: Tabman http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/comment-page-1/#comment-762 Tabman Wed, 25 Jan 2006 18:10:38 +0000 http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2006/01/25/reasons-to-be-cheerful-parts-one-and-two/#comment-762 Plus the Tories are just itching to start ripping each other to shreds again. See yesterday's Indy on tax cuts and Conservative Home. Plus the Tories are just itching to start ripping each other to shreds again. See yesterday’s Indy on tax cuts and Conservative Home.

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