Comments on: But We Don’t Want to Give You THAT…

By: Finally, the bitch came… « Al Jahom’s Final Word

Finally, the bitch came… « Al Jahom’s Final Word — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:01:12 +0000

[…] Tax or the quiet dropping of the commitment to the EU Referendum. I’m not trying to hide our Lib Dem Policies ‘404′ shame. I just think… I think I’m about to crack. I may have reached the point of ‘had […]

By: That’s it. They broke me. at The Charlotte Gore Blog

That’s it. They broke me. at The Charlotte Gore Blog — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:53:14 +0000

By: Charlotte Gore

Charlotte Gore — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:02:50 +0000

I give up.

By: MatGB

MatGB — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:58:28 +0000

I’m told Clegg was on 5Live this afternoon and confirmed that we want a referendum, but hedged on whether it would specifically be in the manifesto—I’m happy he still wants one, and want to know his reasons for the latter.

But Ming’s pissed more than a few people off from what I can see.

By: MatGB

MatGB — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:34:09 +0000

Why is Ming shooting his mouth off? Because he’s Ming, it’s what he does.

And for what it’s worth, the leadership don’t win every vote at conference, not by a long shot, both Huhne and Cable have been defeated recently at conference, on issues they cared and spoke strongly about—I voted against their position both times, and was happy with both results.

Even if the Leadership think they can get away with it, they’ll get a big slap from a number of MPs and PPCs, especially from the SW. I suspect Ming is either giving a personal opinion or flying a kite, and will enquire further.

By: Dazmando

Dazmando — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:24:03 +0000

Yeah I can’t defend this one. Only hope good old Ming is wrong.

By: Stu

Stu — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:20:03 +0000

Well if he has no influence why is he shooting his mouth off on the Daily Politics?

You’re right, of course – but the most likely thing is that he’s floating the policy on behalf of the party leadership. And if that’s the case, also likely is that the leadership will campaign for it at the conference, and then most likely is that it’ll get passed by the largely pro-EU party membership. And then ‘no referendums’ will be Lib Dem policy.

Not that it’s going to matter that much either way, of course – in the long run none of the parties are going to have a referendum on Europe. The only time it was likely was a referendum on Lisbon.

By: MatGB

MatGB — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:11:04 +0000

Wait, Ming sets policy on his own now? IIRC, the referendum policy was either confirmed by conference or is due to be discussed at Birmingham, 100% sure that Ming doesn’t decide these things on his own.

If it’s not in the pre-manifesto at Brum, I’ll table the amendment myself—I want us to stay in, but I want the issue settled so we can get on one way or t’other.