In towns like Barnsley, where the Lib Dems once harvested votes as a party of protest, they now attract derision as a party of government.
It goes with the territory. The Lib Dems are learning that power brings not only responsibility, but contempt.
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Saturday, March 05, 2011
Dominic Carman on the Barnsley Central by-election
The Lib Dem candidate at Barnsley Central gives his impressions of the campaign - and a distinctly unflattering portrait of the town - on the Daily Mail site:
He's a superb candidiate and I hope this defeat doesn't follow him around. If there is a Lib Dem safe seat, he deserves a go next time.
ReplyDeleteHang on, "harvested"? Even given Labour's problems last May we only got 17.3% of the vote - only 6 votes ahead of the Tories in 3rd.
ReplyDeleteGood old Daily Fail
I had concerns re Mr Carman's candidature from the outset - he does seem a little over-committed to a "stop the bnp" platform, and his background may have not made him a 'natural' for Barnsley.
ReplyDeleteIf Dominic had stood as an independent, I'd say so what? A grammar school and Durham boy who has an instinctive dislike for the lower classes would be nothing new.
ReplyDeleteAs a Lib Dem, however, that kind of sneering vitriol does noone any favours. Contempt for your constituents is more of a Tory / Labour thing.