Saturday, August 21, 2010

Lib Dem MP Charles Kennedy allegedly in talks join the Labour Party, mid life crisis no excuse for political suicide




















Dear All

One of the hallmarks of politics is that when a political party gains power, they either run out of steam or implode.

The Lib Dems seem to be imploding as Lib Dem MPs and members aren’t happy about being in coalition with the Tories.

You can understand why given the Tory history of Thatcher and Major.

They should remember that they are now in government for the first time in 80 years and bite the bullet.

Better in the boat than out!

Now, speculation is rife that about the extent of Liberal Democrat uneasiness with what has happened that suggestions flying about that ex leader Charles Kennedy might jump ship and go join the Labour Party.

If he did it would be a moment of madness on his part, his reason for alleged flight is because of the cuts agenda of the coalition.

There was going to be cuts under Labour which they said would be harder and deeper than Thatcher.

Any point of jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

No!

Kennedy would be better off staying put and using his influence to advise Clegg.

If Kennedy defects to Labour it would be a major coup for them but given his opposition to Labour’s wars why commit political suicide at this stage of his life?

At present he sits on a 13,070 majority as the MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber and I would suspect such is his standing that this vote would be personal rather than party.

However, Ross, Skye and Lochaber won’t go Labour and there is a risk that he could lose it.

There is nothing to gain by joining Labour and masses to lose, Kennedy is going through changes as recently his wife separated from him but this is no time for a mid life crisis.

This wouldn’t be change for the better but very much for the worse and his standing in the public eyes would plummet like a stone.

Reports about his position come amid slumping poll ratings for the Lib Dems, and that is to be expected, the Lib Dems under Clegg need to pull out serious policy victories to show that they aren’t just propping up David Cameron.

Clegg needs to do work within his own party as well; widespread talk of grassroots dismay at the partnership with the Tories threatens his position.

Another spanner in the works is Simon Hughes MP who is fronting opposition as a standard bearer for the Lib Dem left.

Hughes wants a veto on policies from the coalition Government for the Lib Dem Party, he won’t get it.

Clegg recently said:

"If we weren't in a coalition now I don't think people would take any notice of the Liberal Democrats. If we were in a coalition with Labour arguably our identity crisis would be even worse."

Clegg is living the dream but given this statement he is delusional.

Charles Kennedy needs to think very carefully about jumping ship to Labour because their vessel is full of holes and sinking especially in Ross, Skye and Lochaber.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

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