Oct 20 2007
The Lib Dem Leadership debate
I think this afternoons clash might go along the following lines:
Westminster Old Boy: I want the Liberal party to speak out to the country,and to speak up for what voters want. I want us to modernise.
Another Westminster Old Boy: So do I. I want a new more honest type of politics where we connect with the wishes of voters.
WOB: It’s most important we do not have a referendum on the EU Treaty. This is not the same as the document I wanted a referendum on when I promised one to help me win my seat at the General Election.
WOB 2: I entirely agree. I find myself in the same position on this. The voters are wrong to want a referendum.
WOB: I want us to modernise the UK, so that Britain fits in and is part of all the supranational bodies like the EU, the UN and the Climate Change Treaty.
WOB2: I favour more Lib Dems flying to more parts of the world to discuss how to reduce the numbers of people allowed to fly around, to help save the planet.
WOB 2: The Lib dems must be distinctive. We should offer people a 4p in the ??1 cut in their national income tax, so they can afford a 4.5p in the ??1 local income tax to pay for more Lib Dem Councils.
WOB : I think we should charge people more for going on holiday, for driving to work or taking the car to the shops. That would save the planet.
WOB: I want more power to go to Brussels to prevent a Tory or Labour government making so many decisions here in Britain. I think we should surrender at least 60 vetoes over important areas immediately.
WOB2: it is most important that Brussels should pass more laws. Unless the vetoes are abolished we could find single countries preventing more laws being passed,which is unacceptable.
WOB1 : We need to spend more on most public services. People will just have to pay. We always make sure Lib Dem Councils spend more than Tory Councils. We need to show we would spend more than a Labour government.
WOB2: Yes of course, but we need to say it differently, because we don’t want to frighten the voters into thinking we do want to put their taxes up a lot. We have always come third by promising higher income tax.
WOB2: We need to strengthen regional government, so there are more jobs for Lib dems who don’t make it to Westminster.
WOB: We must change the voting system, so the candidates who come second or third have a a chance to hold elected office. It’s not fair you always have to have most votes to win in our system..
John Redwood has been the Member of Parliament for Wokingham since 1987. First attending Kent College, Canterbury, he graduated from Magdalen College...
Not far off. The Marr show today had Clegg saying that what they wanted to do was connect with people by saying they would “empower” everybody (except those who want a referendum) & being against gangs killing children. Huhne said he agreed. Controversial stuff eh.
On the other hand Huhne can make a pretty good claim to be a successful economist which might come in handy & a 4p income tax cut & abolition of council tax might not be too unpopular.
Now if only you had taken the piss equally from their eco-nuttery. Being anti-nuclear, anti-anything that produces CO2 & in favour only of overwhelmingly intermitten, expensive & unavailable windmills is completely insane & their figures on the green taxes (to replace the 4p of income tax) just do not add up - particularly if we assume they will actually work & people stop flying. The problem is the Tories are going down this road too.
Reply: overall taxes would rise under their plans.
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The only thing that stops me congratulating you as a satirist is the fact that this is basically their position
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