Blair's survival chances

[jmatthan]

My post to the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Charles Kennedy:

"Dear Mr. Kennedy,

Although I congratulate you on reaching 62 seats in the present Parliament, I comment as below in my blog.

From the blog:

http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com

'Here is a case of a leader without a far enough vision. It would be prudent for Charles Kennedy to now give up his position as the leader of the Liberal Democrats.' "

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. No, you're wrong about that

If the Lib Dems had not stood against anti-war Labour or Conservative candidates, it would have marked them out as a single issue party. What's more, a single issue that had already happened. And the BBC link says that only 2 strongly anti-war Labour MPs lost their seats. So you're saying that by giving up his credibility on all matters apart from Iraq, Kennedy would have 2 more allies in the House of Commons. What would be the point of that? Your suggestion was silly.

[jmatthan]

2. Silly or not is not the question here

This election was a SINGLE issue election: "The truthfulness of Blair" PERIOD

That was the issue which should have been the focus and that is the issue that should decide the next Prime Minister of the UK.

Losing just 2 out of 47 seems to be the real crux of the issue. Labour lost 47 seats and only 2 were from the Anti War lobby and they lost for quite different issues. that shows the real picture, not the way you turned it around. (4% against 12.5%)

And remember Galloway's historic win turning around a 10000 Labour majority!!

I am researching how many Conservative Anti War candidates won and lost and will blog that when I get the correct picture.

I can confidently state that THIS WAS A SINGLE ISSUE ELECTION.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland

[pretzel4gore]

3. the media whoring is the only issue...

how politicians stand on the mushmedia acting teeny-brattish on half lit streetcorners wearing thong panties and lacey spandex nipple-rings is the issue (they're ugly old men for the most part for jesus's sake!)....if a politician cannot see the grotesque sluts for what they are, then...???? if the media lies, then is it lying when saying blair's a goddam liar?

[muriel_volestrangler]

4. If teh Lib Dems had not stood against anti-war candidates

what would the situation now be?

The BBC link suggests there would be 2 more anti-war Labour MPs. How do you think that would put Kennedy in control of anything? They would be members of another party, who had their own policies, and who have a proven track record of not doing what they are told anyway.

In the mean time, the Lib Dems would have been painted, accurately, by both Labour and the Tories, as a protest party, who only cared about the war, since it made no difference to them if another candidate was Labour or Conservative, as long as they hadn't supported the war. No one would take them seriously - just as no-one takes the UK Independence party seriously. Look at how badly they did in this election, even though ther are plenty of people who agree with them about Europe. They voted for them in the European elections, because the message was relevant then. But they didn't vote for them in the general election, because they've got nothing to say about al lthe other things that government and legislation are about.

Galloway took a Labour seat - but he used to be a Labour MP, remember. He also went to the seat in the country that he stood the best chance of election in. Respect didn't win anywhere else. The party that said the election was only about Iraq won precisely one seat. What kind of success would that be for the Lib Dems?

[jmatthan]

5. You do not see the logic but I do

Liberal Democrats had their policies to go by, but their limited but yet historic election victory this time was NOT based on those policies but PURELY ON their stand against Tony Blair.

By standing by the side of Labour and Conservative Anti War candidates as Robin Cook, Clare Short, Galloway, Reg Keys, it would have been possible for them to capture MORE Labour Pro-War candidate seats than just the 11 that they took and the 51 they held.

It would have established that this was a referendum on the "Truthfulness of Blair".

It is possible that they could have ousted many more Labour Pro-War candidates.

I did not hear one word in the campaigning as to whether a particular Labour candidate had been Pro or Anti War.

That would have questioned the standing of those candidates.

Further, post election they would have more Labour MPs obligated to their stand if the LD opponents had been withdrawn. It would established a seed of doubt in the minds of those winning Anti War Labour candidates.

Jacob Matthan
Oulu, Finland