A hopeful start on the road to recovery for British politics

[Ignis Fatuus]

I voted LibDem in the general election, probably in the mistaken belief that I was voting for the Liberal Party. How big my mistake was is becoming clear as they sign up to a bigger gutting of our society and economy than even the redoubtable Thatcher achieved.

Personally I am glad to see Ed Miliband elected leader of the Labour Party. I had believed that he was unelectable due to being too honest. Time will tell whether he can stay that way. Not to mention whether the electorate will stand for that: the British are so dishonest with themselves, they may not be ready for an honest and principled Prime Minister.

But at least I feel better knowing that the way is clear at the next election. As Bill Clinton shrewdly observed, there are 3 power centres in British politics: Labour, Conservative, and the Press; but only the first of these has a positive programme for change and improvement. That's why I'll be voting Labour at the next election.

[minestrone]

Right, who owns this one?

[Jeebo72]

I voted LibDem in the general election, probably in the mistaken belief that I was voting for the Liberal Party. How big my mistake was is becoming clear as they sign up to a bigger gutting of our society and economy than even the redoubtable Thatcher achieved.

Personally I am glad to see Ed Miliband elected leader of the Labour Party. I had believed that he was unelectable due to being too honest. Time will tell whether he can stay that way. Not to mention whether the electorate will stand for that: the British are so dishonest with themselves, they may not be ready for an honest and principled Prime Minister.

But at least I feel better knowing that the way is clear at the next election. As Bill Clinton shrewdly observed, there are 3 power centres in British politics: Labour, Conservative, and the Press; but only the first of these has a positive programme for change and improvement. That's why I'll be voting Labour at the next election.

Thankfully, by time Labour is next elected I’ll have enough money to leave the country.

[Mich the Tester]

I voted LibDem in the general election, probably in the mistaken belief that I was voting for the Liberal Party. How big my mistake was is becoming clear as they sign up to a bigger gutting of our society and economy than even the redoubtable Thatcher achieved.

Personally I am glad to see Ed Miliband elected leader of the Labour Party. I had believed that he was unelectable due to being too honest. Time will tell whether he can stay that way. Not to mention whether the electorate will stand for that: the British are so dishonest with themselves, they may not be ready for an honest and principled Prime Minister.

But at least I feel better knowing that the way is clear at the next election. As Bill Clinton shrewdly observed, there are 3 power centres in British politics: Labour, Conservative, and the Press; but only the first of these has a positive programme for change and improvement. That's why I'll be voting Labour at the next election.

I would rather like a proper classical liberal party to vote for. I would probably find myself in a small minority, but that doesn't bother me.

Here in Holland, liberalism is split between VVD, who are actually a deep conservative party masquerading as liberals, and D66, of which I am a member; unfortunately, seeing as D66 is filled with academics and high earners, it doesn't do well in selling the message of liberalism to the masses, so remains a party with no more than about 10% of the vote.

[MrMark]

I would rather like a proper classical liberal party to vote for. I would probably find myself in a small minority, but that doesn't bother me.

There are many different types of "liberal" - a social liberal would allow all sorts of nonsense/radical policies, an economic liberal would be very free-market.

[Mich the Tester]

There are many different types of "liberal" - a social liberal would allow all sorts of nonsense/radical policies, an economic liberal would be very free-market.

I guess I'm a sort of libertarian; government intervention only where it is absolutely necessary, and with the only real aim to protect individual liberty. Sounds very idealistic, and indeed it is; liberalism starts splitting into different strands when confronted with reality; some liberals favour measures to develop material equality, arguing that one person cannot be truly free when another is desperately fighting for something to eat. Others favour measures to prevent the free economy doing to much damage to society. Others feel the government should just butt out and leave it all to individual initiative.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I would rather like a proper classical liberal party to vote for. I would probably find myself in a small minority, but that doesn't bother me.

Here in Holland, liberalism is split between VVD, who are actually a deep conservative party masquerading as liberals, and D66, of which I am a member; unfortunately, seeing as D66 is filled with academics and high earners, it doesn't do well in selling the message of liberalism to the masses, so remains a party with no more than about 10% of the vote.

So would I. I dreamed of the Liberal Party that Jo Grimond described as a radical non-socialist left-wing alternative. That's what I would like to see: a non-dogmatic party committed to peacemeal social change for the better. Karl Popper's recipe (as implemented rather successfully by his student Helmut Schmidt): change a little and see if it works. If it's better, change a little bit more, if not, admit it and undo it. That is what is conspicuously lacking from both major parties, but at least the Labour Party at its best knows that change is needed, to make our country a better place. The Conservative Party too often seems not to be driven by principles (Margaret Thatcher apart, who clearly was driven by principle at least at first, but was in the end not so successful either in implementation of her principles or in effect of her practice, as people, including Lefties, often imagine).

BTW this forum is becoming worse than the Daily Mail - an achievement previously thought impossible - in the imposition of unthinking orthodoxy. Present another view and you are immediately accused of being a sockpuppet. Do any of you know the phrase argumentum ad hominem?

Actually some of you do and I could even tell you which of you. Oh for a board with only them

[gricerboy]

So would I. I dreamed of the Liberal Party that Jo Grimond described as a radical non-socialist left-wing alternative. That's what I would like to see: a non-dogmatic party committed to peacemeal social change for the better. Karl Popper's recipe (as implemented rather successfully by his student Helmut Schmidt): change a little and see if it works. If it's better, change a little bit more, if not, admit it and undo it. That is what is conspicuously lacking from both major parties, but at least the Labour Party at its best knows that change is needed, to make our country a better place. The Conservative Party too often seems not to be driven by principles (Margaret Thatcher apart, who clearly was driven by principle at least at first, but was in the end not so successful either in implementation of her principles or in effect of her practice, as people, including Lefties, often imagine).

BTW this forum is becoming worse than the Daily Mail - an achievement previously thought impossible - in the imposition of unthinking orthodoxy. Present another view and you are immediately accused of being a sockpuppet. Do any of you know the phrase argumentum ad hominem?

Actually some of you do and I could even tell you which of you. Oh for a board with only them

I don't think your post count of 57 quite gives you carte blanche to come in here and ponificate like you're some CUK old sweat. And talk about pompous! Phew.

[Ignis Fatuus]

I don't think your post count of 57 quite gives you carte blanche to come in here and ponificate like you're some CUK old sweat. And talk about pompous! Phew.

Look, Threaded, I've been here as long as you have

[sasguru]

Thankfully, by time Labour is next elected I’ll have enough money to leave the country.

Better check that you can get affordable health care in the country you go to. You'll need it.