tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post113892006495152905..comments2024-03-28T22:32:50.562+00:00Comments on Liberal England: There is no Lib Dem Orange OrderJonathan Calderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00730157683743989696noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-1138960743055300232006-02-03T09:59:00.000+00:002006-02-03T09:59:00.000+00:00Paul Marshall's comments are a disgrace and bring ...Paul Marshall's comments are a disgrace and bring the Party into disrepute.<BR/><BR/>The 'Orange Bookers' phrase is a media fantasy (or, given the author, a Tory fantasy) and belie a more complicated set of relationships between about 3 different groups within the Liberal Democrats:<BR/>1) Those who generally strongly favour economic liberalism, want tactically to move the party in the direction of the Tories and want its language to reflect that fact (I would include 3-4 authors including Marshall);<BR/>2) 'Thinkers' who do generally want to talk of the key policy issues in 'modern' terms but with a careful balance of economic and social Liberalism (this probably includes people like Chris Huhne, Nick Clegg and Susan Kramer)<BR/>3) Others who can't be categorised neatly such as Steve Webb who is now doing a v good job at Health, Oaten... and Ed Davey whose chapter was basically a reiteration of party policy.Gareth Eppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04138426401429600870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6606798.post-1138923210097009612006-02-02T23:33:00.000+00:002006-02-02T23:33:00.000+00:00I have not yet made my mind up about the Leadershi...I have not yet made my mind up about the Leadership, but one thing is clear - I will not be persuaded by threats from what a few rich people are reported to have said. We are an independent and democratic party, and must not be used as the playtings of a handful of fat cats, like two other parties have become.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com