Why they're known as the Fib Dems

Nick Clegg pulled of the stagering dishonesty that many of the Lib Dem opponents think is the signature of the Liberal Democrats.

On the radio he said no one foresaw the problems with the Euro, when challenged on why he had supported UK membership.

The truth ? Plenty of people did. They were many key high profile Conservatives not least William Hague. ( Stuck in a burning with no exit ring any bells Mr slippery Clegg ? )

Why is it necessary for Lib Dems to lie like this ? Because they are seeking electoral advantage by rewriting history. Its what they do all over the country and why they are hated by Labour and Conservative activists with almost equal passion.

This is who the Lib Dems are - they are unable to give an honest answer to a question that everyone knows they are lying about.

This is before the disgusting bile that emerges from Chris Huhne's mouth or that nasty rabble rouser Tim Fallon is considered.

The Lib Dems have a honesty and a morality problem. Personally I think its in part linked to Nick Clegg's atheism.

The Lib Dems are no longer the Alternative Vote

In some ways the tactical mistakes of the Lib Dems, having decided to go into Coalition, could be put down to experience - the lack of it.

The Lib Dem pitch, even before Lib Dems existed, was an alternative.

An alternative to what ? Their answer has been "what have you got?" ( with apologies to James Dean ).

This tactic has been part of their strategy of building up support from opposition.

The problem is they haven't adjusted to being in power.

They have instead continued to behave like the alternative opposition. Reform of the NHS ( needed lets not forget to save peoples lives - lives that will be lost if nothing is done due to rising govt debt and health inflation combined with falling productivity in our soviet era NHS ) ? The Lib Dems are there to say no to the things that might really help. Removing Labour ema bribe ? The Lib Dems insist on the sort of social engineering that only the Labour party really believes in - but helps them posture on TV. Reforming public services to make them more affordable and effective and help people ? The Lib Dems are stamping their little feet to say no - as after all most of their supporters and members have a selfish interest in this issue. ( Individuals on the left become fabulously wealthy in 'public service' and yet mention the word profit and the Guardianista sky falls in. )

They haven't been helped by their lack of discipline. The really damaging attacks on Nick Clegg were only possible after Lib Dem ministers and MPs prostituted themselves to go along with Ed Milibands anyone but Clegg #AV strategy.

What they have lacked is conviction and guts.

They could have campaigned on the things they achieved - for example lifting low paid people out of income tax. But instead the subliminal message has been were there to stop the evil Tories from being too beastly. If you spend your time badmouthing your partner then soon people stop listening to you and start forming an opinion about your character, and its not a good one.

The electorate don't respect this sort of behaviour.

Each time we have Paddy Ashdown, Vince Cable - or most damaging of all Chris Huhne on TV bad mouthing the Conservatives Lib Dem support drops, as the public judge them on character and find them lacking.

There are ideas from the Lib Dems that are worth listening to. There are arguments they could win in the Coalition - even by persuading us Conservatives that they are right ( a strong contrast to the presidential sofa cabinet style of the Labour years that wrecked the country ). But their demand for pounds of flesh and stopping "right wing (ie kitten murdering evil) ideas" is going to earn them nothing other than contempt from all sides.

The Lib Dems need to grow up - and they can start by not throwing all their toys out of the coalition pram over the next few days.

The start today of Paddy Ashdown doing what he does best does not suggest they are capable of this.

Update: Some advice for the Lib Dems from Iain Dale

How to kill the Lib Dems stone dead

Its occurred to me that we should refuse any coalition or negotiation in the event of a hung parliament, and David Cameron should announce that policy now.

If asked to form a government we should present a budget and dare the other parties to vote it down. If they do then unless they form a coalition a new general election should be called.

Its time to stop Nick Clegg playing the field ( where did he develop that habit from ? ).

People need to be clear - vote Lib Dem get Gordon Brown as prime minister.

As soon as that happens the Lib Dem poll position will collapse.

PS The poster was uploaded onto by a Coffee house reader - can't find a name to credit, but well done.

Update: This is clearly the approach the Lib Dems fear the most as today we have Clegg trying to distance himself from the idea of supporting Brown as PM.

Major update: David Cameron is announcing this policy today. There will be no giving in to blackmail from the Lib Dems from a Conservative government ( not that the Lib Dems could ever have delivered given their mistrust of even their own leader with the Triple Lock Mechanism ).

More tax for the South of England as Scotland enjoys tax freeze - thanks Lib Dems

So the Lib Dems plan to punish the English who live in the South of England, especially the South East whilst at the same time their Celtic heartlands enjoy that money being hosed around in Scotland and Wales.

They will whinge on about anyone with a big house being able to "afford it" - but lets remember that money that goes to the government to pay for places like 75% public sector employee zones in the North doesn't get spent in the economy of the South of England. ( Today we have the Bank of England, for example, explaining what the impact of people cutting back is likely to be on the economy ),

The money has been taken from all of us here - but the Lib Dems will use their normal dishonest arguments to try and pass this of as a victimless attack.

The Lib Dems aren't even planning on using it to fund Gordon Brown's rising national debt, but to pay for bribes for more votes for their party in areas of Labour's heartland where they fancy their chances.

The future of the Lib Dems - 4 party politics

The Lib Dems current leader (Nick Clegg in case things are changing to fast for you to keep up) says he wants to break two party politics and promises a bold strategy.

That's an interesting and revealing statement. It refers in part to the desire for his side to win. Let there be yellow MPs - more of them. We'll think about what they stand for later ( or better have some standing for one thing, others for another ).

It treats politics like football, where no one even pretends premiership clubs have any real local links - except that the punters who pay up are mostly local - because the players and management certainly aren't.

The Lib Dems, SDLP, LP + SDP etc have always complained about the electoral system. But still they act as the party of protest. Their most successful political strategy is really just an electoral tactic of vote for us or the other side will whom you hate more, will get in.

Being a party of protest and a proxy to get at Labour/The Conservatives is hardly a reason d'etre, and if Mr Clegg is to achieve his aim they will need one.

At this point I should point out that this puts the cart before the horse. Arguing for policies that will let your premiership political team win is like getting out your cheque book and buying success in the premiership. Its very cynical and suggest you believe or are convinced of nothing at all really.

That point aside, what does Nick Clegg need to do ? He needs further axes of political thought and to place his party at the end of some of them, not outflanked by either of the other two.

On this point - liberalism - offers a potential happy hunting ground. Liberal (ie right wing) economics and liberal social standards. Oddly they don't seem to go together.

Take a look at the following bit of fun MiaS found on the US elections (hat tip Conservative Home - have a go yourself here):
A similar axis exists for British Politics, top left to bottom right. The gaps are bottom left and top right.

However if Clegg goes for top right ( economic liberal and social liberal ) can he really take his party with him ? After all the SDP part of the Lib Dems is certainly to the left and used to be socially conservative.

Perhaps the Lib Dems real problem is that they are two parties trying to trade under one name. If that is true Nick Clegg will just bring disaster to them if he brings clarity.

And Clarity is needed to break the two party mould. Doesn't look good for Nick does it ?

Really he needs to establish 4 party politics - and split the Lib Dems up.

Lib Dems must end pick and mix politics

Their opponents have accused them of being the Janus Party for years. Saying different things to different parts of the country, even different streets. They have the reputation of being the least moral and most opportunitstc of campaigners. [ Its why eveyone else in politcs really hates them].Now even their own former head of media is telling them that saying they "must end pick and mix politics" - BBC's Newsnight 18 Dec 07.

Will Nick Clegg be any better ?

If Huhne wins, England could be his trumpt card

Don't get me wrong - Huhne is generally far further from Man in a Shed's political view points than Nick Clegg, or perhaps even Gordon Brown, however ...

now that David Cameron has given up on the English as a necessary sacrifice in the cause of trying to revive the flat lining Scottish Conservative party ( odd that the word Scottish is Ok - but not English ) there is a gap for someone to speak for England. [ The English Democrats you could argue already do ].

This could be Huhne. Campaigning for an English parliament could go down very well in Labour marginals where the transfer of cash to Scotland and Wales hurts most.

It could help a lot in the west and even the south.

This is the ground David Cameron is giving up to revive a party north of the boarder whose strategy has seen it shrink from the largest to the smallest of the main parties in Scotland.

Who will speak for England ? ( OK the Lib Dems are architects of the current devolution disaster just as much as Labour is, but they don't normally let such things stop them. )

Rachel Joyce's BlogSpot: Do the LibDems want to break up stable families?

Rachel Joyce's BlogSpot: Do the LibDems want to break up stable families?

Have to say I missed this one from the Lib Dems on the bucket and spade (with sandals of course) exercise last week.

I've blogged about social mobility before - the problem is that if genetics is a factor in your capabilities and fair society will inevitably be a stratified society.

The socialists and their confused Lib Dem co-traveller need to wake up to this.

The Lib Dem conference

The reason the Lib Dems don't get excessive scrutiny of their policies is that, I suspect, many commentators would think it cruel.

Illegal immigration amnesty, local income tax, zero carbon but no nuclear, Ming as leader.....

Frankly you just have to feel sorry for them. Though perhaps I should add my personal thanks for making the job of canvasing in future elections so much easier.

Did Guildford Lib Dems try to mislead by taking credit for the A3 noise barrier ? ( Hint - think bear and woods)

Just found this article on www.labour4guildford.com . It takes the local Lib Dems to task for trying to claim credit for a measure they had nothing to do with !

Their article starts:

"We in Guildford are quite familiar with the Liberal Democrat tactic of deliberately spreading misinformation, especially at election time. Both the Labour and Conservative Parties have similar problems in other parts of the country."

They finish their article with the following line:

"WHY PEOPLE THINK THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY IS A DECENT PARTY IS ONE OF THE GREAT MYSTERIES OF MODERN POLITICS."

Now those are sentiments I can understand. This is the Lib Dems great weakness - they are not a decent party at all - and those interested in the serious business of serving the public through political office need to hammer this point home - at least until they change their ways.