Jump to content

Clegg showing some Metlle at last


Recommended Posts

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/09/david-cameron-europe-raspberry-nick-clegg

 

When outlining his position on Europe in days of yore – ie last year – Clegg was always wont to be super-clear. He was forever banging on about the folly of British standoffishness, when we should be there at the table. A reasonable summary of his latter-day argument is that Britain is partially in Europe, but is apparently unable to influence anything. The UK is condemned to all of the crap and none of the power. It's the worst of both worlds.

 

So what a radioactive irony that Clegg should make that precise dysfunctional relationship the template for the relationship between his own party and the Tories. The Lib Dems are there, but appear to have no influence. They take bucketloads of crap and wield none of the power. It's the worst of both worlds.

 

This relationship dynamic may well have secured Britain's destruction in Europe, and it has almost certainly secured the Liberal Democrats' destruction for the foreseeable. Whether their MPs will be able to fill a taxi after the next general election is a matter of debate.

 

Of more ghoulish fascination, though, is the next Lib Dem manifesto. What could this document possibly include? There are whole areas that in any sane universe it would be literally too embarrassing to mention, and given that these include major planks of what used to be called Liberal Democrat policy, such as Europe and education, I've genuinely no idea where they'll go with this one. Blank pages? Something nice and inclusive about fish? The mere fact of something appearing as a Liberal Democrat manifesto pledge has come to symbolise that it is terminally doomed as an idea. Perhaps the best way to eradicate poverty would be to draft up a Lib Dem manifesto commitment to perpetuating it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.