tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post519671468882199350..comments2024-03-29T01:48:46.501+00:00Comments on A Liberal Goes A Long Way: What is Simon Jenkins for?Stephen Tallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11720133001571029678noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-91429178770200892652007-05-10T15:05:00.000+01:002007-05-10T15:05:00.000+01:00"usually behind closed doors, sometimes in public"..."usually behind closed doors, sometimes in public"...<BR/><BR/>...occasionally on websites for all to see.Liberal Polemichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05002372579024659424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-32601853700998344052007-05-10T14:57:00.000+01:002007-05-10T14:57:00.000+01:00It's interesting you should illustrate Jenkins' do...It's interesting you should illustrate Jenkins' double-standards with one of his pieces on education.<BR/><BR/>I always find it amusing when I here or read his views on state education (anti-choice, anti-vouchers etc) to think that I was at public school with his son, who certainly benefited from his father's ability to choose one of the most expensive schools in Britain for his child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-55419469006988352322007-05-10T09:50:00.000+01:002007-05-10T09:50:00.000+01:00Anon: "I dont see how anything that you have said ...Anon: "I dont see how anything that you have said above sets you apart from a Conservative or right wing Labour."<BR/><BR/>Stephen has not "set above" his entire political philosophy as it is not necessary to the point re: Simon Jenkins. Nonetheless, I would have thought it pretty obvious that a liberal such as Stephen has contrasting opinions to members of illiberal parties such as the Conservative Party and Labour Party.<BR/><BR/>A few examples off the top of my head: Liberals would not support 90 days detention without trial, or (like Michael Howard) ID cards, or Section 28.<BR/><BR/>Liberals also support freedom of choice within the political (as well as the commercial) arena and thus, unlike many Conservatives, do not abide by an obdurate loyalty to institutions such as the Monarchy.<BR/><BR/>Thus the existence of a Liberal party of some form or other. Just as the Conservatives are not as conservative as many of their ranks would like (and Labour not socialist), the current Liberal party is not as liberal as some of us would like. Certainly moving in the right (or maybe I should say "correct") direction though.Haribohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11353292402895107855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-44333740580033214932007-05-10T00:49:00.000+01:002007-05-10T00:49:00.000+01:00An excellent synopsis by Simon Jenkins,he omitted ...An excellent synopsis by Simon Jenkins,he omitted the fact that in the past the Liberals / Lib Dems USP has been a virtual monopoly for the protest votes. <BR/>However with the increased choice of other smaller parties to deposit that vote(SNP,Plaid,Greens,BNP,Respect & UKIP)this USP has now been lost and was plain to see in both Scotland & Wales last week.<BR/>Traditionally the Liberals / Lib Dems have done well at Westminster elections when the Tories have been unpopular,with the Tories now moving onto the centre ground a return to two party politics is on the horizon,this combined with policy overlap amongst the Tories & Labour in reality is a further nail in the Lib Dem coffin.<BR/>There only realistic hope is a hung parliament in 2/3 years time,if this doesn't happen then I can see their Westmister support going back to 70's levels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-61464420395698375382007-05-09T23:21:00.000+01:002007-05-09T23:21:00.000+01:00Anon - what you mean is there's nothing that sets ...Anon - what you mean is there's nothing that sets me apart from a social or economic liberal who (for whatever reason) finds themself in the Tory or Labour parties. <BR/><BR/>I think there's a generally acknowledged liberal diaspora - which half-answers Tim's point. A liberal Liberal party is arguably more likely to happen under PR than in the current duopolistic arrangements. How is PR likely to happen? Through a strong Lib Dem showing.Stephen Tallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11720133001571029678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-25090612887532103522007-05-09T23:04:00.000+01:002007-05-09T23:04:00.000+01:00I dont see how anything that you have said above s...I dont see how anything that you have said above sets you apart from a Conservative or right wing Labour. I think Simon Jenkins has hit the nail on the head.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11862686.post-30224484888231254072007-05-09T18:59:00.000+01:002007-05-09T18:59:00.000+01:00"he just does not want us to exist"Well, quite. Wh..."he just does not want us to exist"<BR/><BR/>Well, quite. While real liberals and the sandal wearers are in the same party it prevents a true liberal party from forming.<BR/><BR/>Which is what we need of course, The Liberal Party. <BR/><BR/>When it arrives, can we take back the National Liberal Club as well, the finest gents urinals in the world?Tim Worstallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13161727860817121071noreply@blogger.com