Liberal Dilemma

Unsurprisingly, the Parliament is hung with the Conservatives as the largest party. A further twenty seats are needed for David Cameron's "modern, compassionate Conservatives" to achieve an overall majority, go to the Palace, and become the twelfth Prime Minister to kiss her Majesty's hand. 

Earlier today David Cameron made a "big, open and comprehensive offer to the Liberal Democrats" to either form a formal coalition or come to an agreement on a Queen's speech. The Liberal Democrats leader was unequivocal that, following another inequitable votes-to-seats ratio, electoral reform was a necessity. 

The question now: will the Liberal Democrats coalesce? I for one hope not. This is not merely nuance. There is a plethora of key ideological differences between not only the two leaders, but the two parties. Europe, immigration, constitutional reform, schools, inheritance tax, Trident etc. Of course, the scent of power may be too strong for Clegg to turn down. But I would hope that he can see beyond the sycophancy. Cameron and his team are profoundly Euro-sceptic, opportunistic and anti-civil liberties. Lest we forget, Cameron is no success story otherwise I would not be writing this post now. 

Refusing electoral reform is incontrovertible, and it seems as if the Conservatives may have to back-down in order to conciliate. But these two parties coming together is more than just one policy. They are antithetical. In my opinion, any agreement by Clegg would be an affront to liberalism. 

Britain needs a cathartic election. A vote for the Lib Dems will go some way to ensure this.

The Guardian have today announced their endorsement of the Liberal Democrats for the upcoming General Election. However, the endorsement does not appear to be limited to the 6th May - it is an endorsement for the future, and a damning indictment on the New Labour Party. 

Labour has lost its moral compass, from as early as 2003 to the present day. The commission of a crime of aggression in Iraq, control orders, complicity in torture, savage cuts to legal aid, detention centres. I could and should go on. Embarrassingly, the party which introduced the Human Rights Act is sat third on the list of the three parties who seek to promote these basic and fundamental rights.

The Liberal Democrats stand against all of the above and more. They are the only genuine progressive party. I do not wish to pour hot water over the entire period of the past thirteen years. The minimum wage, civil partnerships, gender recognition, and SureStart are laudable achievements, but alas not enough. 

Our system needs radical reform. Labour have pledged change, but their pledges seem weak and disingenuous. It is deplorable that constitutional reform, promised since 1997, has not been achieved. The issue of House of Lords reform has been subordinated for too long. We sing with pride about our democracy, yet we have an unelected upper chamber, obstructionist Lords Spiritual, disenfranchised prisoners and an inequitable electoral system.

Britain needs a cathartic election. A vote for the Liberal Democrats will go some way to ensure this.