Posted: Apr 18, 2012 3:25 pm
Contrary to the assertions of SD & Carl, I don't hate the LibDems, and in fact have always had a good deal of respect for them as a party. When Jackie Ballard was our local MP, I was happy to vote, not tactically, but positively LibDem. I've never liked the sometimes authoritarian streak that has so undermined a truly democratic left agenda in the Labour Party, and the LibDems have always been a pretty damned good voice for civil liberties & democratic freedoms in the UK. They aren't the only voice (both Labour & the Greens have a substantial track record in this regard too), but have always been an important & impassioned one.
The experience of LibDems in government has been disappointing. Not because I wanted a more left-leaning government (though clearly I do), but because I think they've been largely ineffective, and downright wrong on a number of things - NHS & Social Care Bill/Act being one, failing to stop Tory excess in kicking the disabled, and over tuition fees. And frankly it does no good to say, "Ah, but Labour introduced the fees", or "Labour allowed the private sector into the NHS first", not least because I opposed these policies when New <hawk, spit> Labour did them. What's wrong is plain fucking wrong, whatever stripe the politicians doing it.
This government seems to be happily doing the sort of thing Tory governments are want to do. There may be some LibDem tinkering around the edges, but the thrust is a Tory government, implementing Tory policies. And I just don't like the company the LibDems are keeping these days.
The experience of LibDems in government has been disappointing. Not because I wanted a more left-leaning government (though clearly I do), but because I think they've been largely ineffective, and downright wrong on a number of things - NHS & Social Care Bill/Act being one, failing to stop Tory excess in kicking the disabled, and over tuition fees. And frankly it does no good to say, "Ah, but Labour introduced the fees", or "Labour allowed the private sector into the NHS first", not least because I opposed these policies when New <hawk, spit> Labour did them. What's wrong is plain fucking wrong, whatever stripe the politicians doing it.
This government seems to be happily doing the sort of thing Tory governments are want to do. There may be some LibDem tinkering around the edges, but the thrust is a Tory government, implementing Tory policies. And I just don't like the company the LibDems are keeping these days.