Nick Clegg's Speech

[Pete]

Interesting... He's pushing a scenario that no matter which of the two main parties gets most votes, the LibDems will be needed in a coalition to gain a working majority. Good idea? Or just him dreaming.

One thing is he assumes he will get enough LibDem MPs elected to be able to do this - and after the last election, his support of the Tory university tuition fee increases may have reduced his support quite badly. In truth, I've not seen any support for him in the last few years, but I've seen plenty of folks say never, never again. To regain his/the parties favour with the general public is going to be a challenge and a half...

TBH I have only seen/heard bad things about his party. I'm not expecting the return of Paul Holmes as our MP...   

[Old Cruser]

I haven't heard it as yet Pete but from what I gather he will bat from either side to get into coalition - can't see it being Tory and Labour - now that would be interesting.

He's been Cameroons puppet, someon  needs to cut his strings and watch him flounder

 It's been a few years since anyone caused so much anger in the british Public (was it Maggie?)

Thing is though what has Labour to offer?

[Slacker]

Why would Paul Holmes be in contention when Julia Cambridge is the parliamentary candidate?

[Fly]

The same one I PM'd about answering questions on this forum.
The same one who said yes.

Then didn't 
Fills me full of support for the libdems 

[therealjr]

I'll risk being labelled a Cleggite to put the following forward.
We don't know and probably we will never know if things would have been worse had the Tories gained the overall majority in  the last election.
Look at the full transcript of Clegg's speech not just the soundbites.
He listed a whole raft of policies which he claims the tories would have brought in had they not needed the support of the lib dems.
Inheritance tax cuts for millionaires .
Bringing back O’ levels and a two-tier education system.
Profit-making in schools
New childcare ratios .
Firing workers at will, without any reasons given.
ditching the Human Rights Act
weakening the protections in the Equalities Act
Regional pay penalising public sector workers in the north
Scrapping housing benefit for young people
He also claimed they would have raced to the right on things like the Environment, Green Energy.

Would they? like I said who knows but it certainly looks like a feasible list.

The other point to this is that we need to be careful what we wish for. Without wishing to re-open the debate on first past the post voting systems its idiosyncracies mean that a failure by Lib Dems to turn out in the next election and vote for their party would almost certainly lead to another hung parliament where the balance of power would be held by the Nationalists. The only hope for labour would be to get enough disaffected lib dems to vote for them in Labour/Tory battleground seats.  Or in other words tactical voting.
And the irony of that can clearly be demonstrated here in Chesterfield.
 

[Pete]

Interesting points Jon, but I don't think the general public will read about what he indirectly achieved.

I do think they will remember/respond to this image though...

[Pete]

Just saw this in tomorrow's headlines:

Nick Clegg Says Coalition Best For Britain, But Public Disagree

A poll carried out by the Liberal Democrat Voice website this week found that 39% of activists favoured a Lib Dem-Labour alliance, compared with just 15% who favour another coalition with the Conservatives.

Cleggy just doesn't get it, does he?

[Fly]

On his wage, he doesn't have to. Do you really think he gives a. Apart from making him richer. I don't.
Hope you enjoy your retirement Pete, If you ever get the chance to take it.
Something makes me think I never will. I can't afford it !!

[Old Cruser]

I don't think we need the LibDems in any party, it will be a slog out between Tories and labour most probably.

UKIP - well after that 'nasty little old gobshite' (sorry Pete  )
They probably won't be anywhere near.
Threw his dummy out whilst being questioned about his 'Sluts' remark and threatened he could get worse - I reckon he wants to leave the booze alone.
I could actually see what he meant by the slut remark it was an off the cuff joke not to be taken serious, but he needs to remember where he is and who he is talking to.
There's a time and a place as they say.