tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post6378395320049450952..comments2023-10-27T07:50:27.411+01:00Comments on Next Left: The case for a Lab-Lib coalitionTom Hampsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917325958130851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-73089505800516741822009-02-01T12:19:00.000+00:002009-02-01T12:19:00.000+00:00It is vital to keep the Tories out of absolute pow...It is vital to keep the Tories out of absolute power because of their Herbert Hooverist recession policies, but as things stand they are the clear favourites to be the "First Past the Post".<BR/><BR/>So. Is it now time to put a Proportional Representation Bill before Parliament?DocRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08903964792092284406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-9849547993289192132009-01-30T17:55:00.000+00:002009-01-30T17:55:00.000+00:00StuartThanks. Yr encouragement has of course been ...Stuart<BR/><BR/>Thanks. Yr encouragement has of course been one of the drivers for this! The main piece in the New Statesman - linked at the top - does deal with the electoral reform issue (it is AV, with an elected Lords, and perhaps PR for local government point). There is very limited substantive opposition in Labour to AV, and none in the Cabinet that I am aware of (with Jack Straw being openly happy with AV when he has been the main anti-pr voice)<BR/><BR/>The main barrier to such a deal being offered might well be whether the LDs could take it.Sunder Katwalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06671411534003530927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-44991305964225342842009-01-30T11:54:00.000+00:002009-01-30T11:54:00.000+00:00My question is: What would be in it for the Lib De...My question is: What would be in it for the Lib Dems? From their point of view, it would surely look like they are being recruited to bouy up Labour's sinking ship. Why should they want to do that, when they can happily let the Labour boat sink and win seats off Labour at the next general election (to compensate for some of those they might well lose to the reviving Tories)? <BR/><BR/>I can see only one thing Labour could offer that would make such a coalition possible: a promise of PR for the general election after next. As a supporter of PR, I'd be delighted. But would the Labour party accept this as the price of a coalition?Stuart Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05090728365798166746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-13780932518714440762009-01-30T11:44:00.000+00:002009-01-30T11:44:00.000+00:00But what if the could?No they can't.I agree it wou...But what if the could?<BR/><BR/>No they can't.<BR/><BR/>I agree it would make sense from so many points of view and would re-invigorate centre-left politics. Crucially, it might also restore public faith in politics by showing that politicians can compromise for the public interest.<BR/><BR/>But, in the real world of westminster politics it won't happen because nobody dares lose face, however strong the arguments might be.<BR/><BR/>It's just as likely as America voting for a mixed race President...Calixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754832236324324540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-48021668687928688882009-01-30T11:16:00.000+00:002009-01-30T11:16:00.000+00:00With Brown as Prime Minister? Or half the present ...With Brown as Prime Minister? Or half the present ministers staying in the cabinet? Don't think that'll fly for Clegg somehow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com