Comments on: Nick Clegg: video killed the media star?

By: paulus

paulus — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:58:13 +0000

I suspect Mr.Brown is more interested in what the voters rather than the opposition think of the terror legislation. Some of the polls appear to confirm this..He may also be more aware than anybody of any SERIOUS threats to this country AND he is a man of integrity, whatever the oppositiion has thrown at him, including global issues (fuel, economy etc) that are, of course, beyond his control. The Tories are
now resorting to bizarre and desperate stunts at any price that should have no place in British politics . Confrontation for the sake of confrontation is too transparent for the intelligent voter. The Lib-Dems should not be too eager to become part of this farce f

By: paulus

paulus — Thu, 29 May 2008 00:03:26 +0000

I have never belonged to any organized Party, but I almost did at the age of 69 in 2OO7 when Vince Cable made his dazzling entrance on to the Commns stage, probably because of him representing some irresistible and admirable qualities perhaps more associated with politicians of the past. Only David Owen almost made me commit myself before, but my caution was justified …My respect for Vince Cable is strong enough to join preferably the Dems without the Libs as apparantly enough people would to turn the Party into the overnight sensation it has been dreaming of for years…I am, however, too old to associate myself with futile and unwise games like the Commons walkout, the abstentions concerning the EU referendum (the Lib-Dem of all parties..), “35+ lovers” bloomers (not exactly impressing female voters..) etc. My suggestion was to make Vince the leader at least until after the next Election.. Young Clegg, his deputee, would have gained more and valuable exprience at this level , especially working together with someone as exprienced and well-qualified in British politics as Vince, and might then be the right man to represent the perhaps 1OO+ new MPs in the Commons….. Paulus

By: Letters From A Tory

Letters From A Tory — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:58:31 +0000

It’s like I’ve always said – this contest is Cleggs to lose and he does not want to win it after Huhne has embarrassed him on several occasions because the voters will never respect him, even if the Lib Dems vote him in with a comfortable leadership victory.

By: John

John — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 23:01:54 +0000

He or she who is without sin – feel free to throw the first stone! Perhaps there should be some rules laid down about not slagging off your opponent (from our party) on prime-time TV, however slippery they might be on policy. I just hope I don’t see too many of our MPs queuing up behind TV cameras and microphones to slag off Huhne the way they did Charles Kennedy in the coming days.

By: Rob Blackie

Rob Blackie — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 16:39:26 +0000

James – something I disagree with you on. When you’re in a live tv debate with a politician from another party then it’s fairly easy to be robust in countering them if you’re good.

If you’re debating somebody in your own party it’s much trickier without damaging the party longer term.

My judgement is that Nick is thinking about the potential damage done to the party long term if he lays into Chris, while Chris is willing to burn his boats to become leader – but at the expense of saying things that will be used against us by our opponents.

The vouchers stuff is spectacularly silly since I’ve heard Chris say that his views on education are basically identical to some sorts of vouchers….

By: Jennie

Jennie — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:24:30 +0000

I really didn’t think the tie was that bad…

Still, you’re spot on about the rest of it.

By: James Graham

James Graham — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 12:13:54 +0000

Guardian reader: most of the reasons the Guardian gives for voting for Clegg boil down to his “fluency” and how “articulate” he is. He has not demonstrated this thus far in the election campaign; quite the reverse. I’d be amazed if having watched the Question Time, any Guardian Leader write would be able to look you in the eye and argue that Clegg is the “articulate” choice.

As for unity, the majority of the party supporting a candidate will help the party to unite, not the opinion of the party elite. It is putting the cart before the horse to say that whoever has the most declared supporters is the unity candidate.

If what you and the Guardian are saying is that they are putting a gun against the party’s head, then I’m tempted to call your bluff.

By: A Guardian Reader

A Guardian Reader — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:05:29 +0000

James; This is what the Guardian says about Clegg:

‘He is articulate, energetic and capable of presenting the Liberal Democrat case in a way that neither of its last two leaders were able to manage. He also has the support of the majority of his parliamentary colleagues – including those, such as Steve Webb, who are to his ideological left. He can speak with a fluent, engaging intelligence. There is reason to hope that under Mr Clegg’s leadership the party would find a new vibrancy, challenging Mr Cameron and Gordon Brown. If this newspaper was to cast a vote, it would be for him.’

I don’t see how you can read that and say it doesn’t have a good reason to spport Clegg. In fact it has several – that he can unite the party, is an authentic liberal and can reach out to new voters for the Liberal Democrats. Of course, you might disagree with that reasoning, but it is nonetheless clearly there.

By: Linda Jack

Linda Jack — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 10:13:52 +0000

James, I totally agree with you………………….about that tie!

By: Greenfield

Greenfield — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 09:23:45 +0000

Geofffrey – I think you are spot on.
I have been underwelmed by Nick – I expected something special after his build up by some in the Party over the past three or four years. I think he can be a successful leader – but not yet. Chris has left him well in the shade I feel. I’m voting for Chris & as I have said elsewhere; Chris now – Nick in ten years.
If Nick does get our top job I expect he’ll take or year or two for him to find his feet. I for one will not snipe from the side lines if happens – he will be a good leader – but will need time. Chris will hit the ground running.