An open letter to the Liberal Democrats
We have more that binds us than divides us. In this country we have got used to adversarial politics but perhaps we should get used to the politics of co-operation. It is a big risk for the Liberals because any step the Conservatives make, which is not to the satisfaction of the Liberal supporters will cause problems with party activists. However, we have to steel ourselves. The stakes are too high for this country and the Liberals not to take up the challenge. The Conservatives have the most votes of any party and for the next parliament (say four years) we should endeavour to work with them.
I know this is a difficult pill to swallow and we will undoubtedly lose some members to the Greens, Labour and other parties but if we hold our integrity high and work in the best interests of the country we should be able to convince our members in time for the next election that we have done our best for the people of Great Britain.
We have a very difficult two or three years ahead and we need firm government to steer our way out of the financial mess which was not caused by Mr Brown but caused by our casino bankers and we, the people of the UK, are to pay the price.
Some say that whoever goes into power now will not be elected again at the next election because of all the stringent measures which will have to be imposed on the people of this country. However, the Liberal Democrats should not shy away from bringing together, albeit with the Conservatives, a program to steer the country to calmer waters and better times. In business one often has to work with people you don’t like – in fact, this is often the case most of the time, but you still have to do it and at the same time, succeed for the benefit of the company. In this case, the company is our country.
It could be said that the Cameron offer has just been put to us to force us to reject it. That may be the case, but it still doesn’t give the Liberal Democrats an excuse for not having the courage to do what is inevitable when there is no overall majority. In fact, I think Mr Cameron would be quite surprised to find that we say, ‘yes, let’s work together’. It will put them on the spot. Their supporters will have to swallow hard and allow the politicians in the coalition the time to restore this country to stability.
Personally, I would prefer a three party coalition, but perhaps that is a step too far for this country which has a political a voting system which hasn’t changed since Victorian times.
I support Mr Clegg and our team in Parliament and I will continue to support them in a coalition government, whatever the press may say or in future the Labour opposition. The Liberal light will not go out. We will hold firm to our beliefs and principles to guide us through these difficult waters.
Good luck to the Liberal team of MPs led by Nick Clegg.
