How do those wins compare performances in other local by-elections for the Lib Dems in the past few months? If it's indicative of a pattern of increasing support of the Lib Dems, then that's a positive sign from them. I believe that the Lib Dem strategy has been to concentrate on building its base on a local, council level in the hopes of building that into seats in those areas in parliament (although if I've got that wrong, please correct me), so it would be positive for them.

Overall local by-election results have been reasonably encouraging for the Lib Dems. Even in areas where thire support had almost disappeared it has been starting to creep up again. Most of the gains have been in the seats they have lost since 2010 but there have been a few exceptions (as well as the weird Gosport result this week). Of course there is still along way to go to get back to where they were ten years ago.

not current, but 6 years ago this MP said something very important and nobody listened. She lost her job shortly afterwards.

 

The policy comments were about something pushed by Porky Cameron & carried out by T. May-Not.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/201...ces-immigration

Sarah Teather gave a talk at my church last year, which I'm sad I wasn't able to get to. She's been involved heavily in a Catholic refugee agency since she stood down as an MP, I believe.

Sarah Teather gave a talk at my church last year, which I'm sad I wasn't able to get to. She's been involved heavily in a Catholic refugee agency since she stood down as an MP, I believe.

 

Good for her, a good person with principles.

 

Sadly, Nick Clegg, also a former Libdem, has decided instead to interview the little-known and publicity-shy far-right shrinking violet Nigel Forage as his post-MP contribution. I know which one I admire the most...

Instead of voting against, and defeating the government this evening, Tim Farron - former Liberal Democrat leader - was instead hosting some talk about the demise of liberalism which was apparently more important than the vote!

 

http://insight.sherborneabbey.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/farron-228x300.jpeg

Instead of voting against, and defeating the government this evening, Tim Farron - former Liberal Democrat leader - was instead hosting some talk about the demise of liberalism which was apparently more important than the vote!

 

http://insight.sherborneabbey.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/farron-228x300.jpeg

Do you know whether he had made a pairing arrangement with a Tory?

Instead of voting against, and defeating the government this evening, Tim Farron - former Liberal Democrat leader - was instead hosting some talk about the demise of liberalism which was apparently more important than the vote!

 

http://insight.sherborneabbey.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/farron-228x300.jpeg

 

well, if we're going that route, spare a thought for the 3 Labour traitors who have been photographed with Tory hard brexiteers just before voting actually WITH the Tories, not even getting a hall pass for not voting (presumably). Got any kind words for Gobby 70's hangover Skinner, weasel Fields, and tosspot Hooeeeeeeugh?

Do you know whether he had made a pairing arrangement with a Tory?

 

Apparently Jo Swinson was paired (she has recently given birth) but no word on either Tim Farron or Vince Cable.

 

This is a complete embarrassment for the Liberal Democrats whose ONLY policy is literally to stop Brexit at any cost.

Edited July 17, 20187 yr by Doctor Blind

Apparently Jo Swinson was paired (she has recently given birth) but no word on either Tim Farron or Vince Cable.

 

This is a complete embarrassment for the Liberal Democrats whose ONLY policy is literally to stop Brexit at any cost.

As I said in the other thread, the fact that over 30 MPs were missing suggests that they may well have made pairing arrangements.

 

Oh, and the Lib Dems have plenty of other policies as well.

OK, it looks like a combination of cock-up and a lack of communication between the Lib Dems and Labour.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/j...ing-brexit-vote

OK, it looks like a combination of cock-up and a lack of communication between the Lib Dems and Labour.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/j...ing-brexit-vote

 

 

So Labour failed to assertively tell the Libdems what they were intending, that it would be close, and then used them as a scapegoat to disguise the fact that the 3 Labour MP's who voted with the government actually caused the loss rather than the 2 Libdems no-shows (which still wouldnt have won the vote).

 

Libdems repeat what I assumed to be the case as an excuse:

 

He added: “The Chequers plan is unworkable in any form and our aim is to stop Brexit. These amendments don’t make it any more workable, the whole thing is unworkable.”

 

And......Labour still blame the Libdems rather than get their own party in order (see 3 Labour MP's voting with gov). Bit of a recurring theme the last 8 years that.

 

So, Labour supporters stop whingeing about Libdems that hypothetically wouldnt have changed the result and whinge about your own MP's that did change the result.

Libdems that hypothetically wouldnt have changed the result

 

Ah, so the Lib Dems are basically irrelevant then?

 

Just as I thought.

Ah, so the Lib Dems are basically irrelevant then?

 

Just as I thought.

 

Now that I can't argue against.

 

Doesn't stop Labour trying it on though when it suits.

So Labour failed to assertively tell the Libdems what they were intending, that it would be close, and then used them as a scapegoat to disguise the fact that the 3 Labour MP's who voted with the government actually caused the loss rather than the 2 Libdems no-shows (which still wouldnt have won the vote).

 

Libdems repeat what I assumed to be the case as an excuse:

 

He added: “The Chequers plan is unworkable in any form and our aim is to stop Brexit. These amendments don’t make it any more workable, the whole thing is unworkable.”

 

And......Labour still blame the Libdems rather than get their own party in order (see 3 Labour MP's voting with gov). Bit of a recurring theme the last 8 years that.

 

So, Labour supporters stop whingeing about Libdems that hypothetically wouldnt have changed the result and whinge about your own MP's that did change the result.

Not to mention the dozen or so Labour MPs who missed the vote.

In a surprising move (at least for someone like me who doesn't have much insight into the inner dealings of the Lib Dems), Stephen Lloyd has resigned the party whip in order to vote for Theresa May's Brexit deal.

Inot sure why he has resigned the Whip. After all, plenty of Tory MPs are expected to vote against the party without resigning the Whip. Corbyn would have been out on his ear 30 years ago if he had taken the same stance.

 

His original pledge was a little odd although I suspect he felt it was the only way to win the seat back. I wonder how bad the deal would have needed to be for him to decide that he could safely backtrack.

Why is resigning the whip even a thing? I vote Labour. If my MP went over to the Tories after I voted for Labour, I would be FUUUUMING. It is anti democratic.

Why is resigning the whip even a thing? I vote Labour. If my MP went over to the Tories after I voted for Labour, I would be FUUUUMING. It is anti democratic.

The system still works on the assumption that you vote for a candidate, not a party. I think it was only in the 1970s that the party names were added to the ballot paper. In this case, the MP in question isn't leaving the party - he's just left the parliamentary group. He may, of course, choose to rejoin later.

 

 

I'd vote for a dead cat over a Tory. This whole voting for an MP nonsense is just that - nonsense. We are voting for the party.