A Decent Man

maveli

SingleSue wrote: »

I don't agree with the cancelling of the current orders for arms, I don't agree with not being able to respond to an attack due to out of date machinery and I don't agree with making this country vulnerable to attack because of the above.

We don't need those bi budget items to tackle guys running around with gas cylinders and a few pound of fertilizer. There is no real threat to UK to keep nuclear weapons

chucky

Exocet wrote: »

Just heard Clegg saying Tories got most seats / votes therefore they should have chance to form government. He could have played it the 'Mandelson' way but he didn't. I am impressed by his integrity.

i don't know Clegg personally but wouldn't have thought he was a decent man at all.

nobody gets to that position in politics without being ruthless and not got there without stabbing a few people in the back here and there.

if people think Clegg is a decent man - they're thinking his media image is decent not the man himself.

ALIBOBSY

I think for the lib dems a stronger position is some kind of alignment with the tories.
If they go with the lab pact a number of other minority parties have to be brought in (and bought off). Can you imagine the backlash against lab and libdem if they formed a coalition and to do it they "buy off" the monor parties but putting all the cuts onto English voters?

A short term agreement with torys that makes Clegg look honest and not power grabbing may then lead to a bigger swing in a next election, which will never be that far off. Plus there is the chance of pushing through some of their policies.
If they are with the tories they are the only 2 faces at the negotiation over each policy. With a lab pact all the extra minor parties which would be required reduces the lib dems position and puts more faces around the table so to speak.

ali x

Really2

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I think for the lib dems a stronger position is some kind of alignment with the tories.

Personally I think the UK will accept a 1'st + 3rd place coalition more than a 2nd +3rd.

Otherwise people will see it as the silver and bronze winners standing on the top of the rostrum wondering what the point of the race was.

JasonLVC

ALIBOBSY wrote: »

I think for the lib dems a stronger position is some kind of alignment with the tories.
If they go with the lab pact a number of other minority parties have to be brought in (and bought off). Can you imagine the backlash against lab and libdem if they formed a coalition and to do it they "buy off" the monor parties but putting all the cuts onto English voters?

A short term agreement with torys that makes Clegg look honest and not power grabbing may then lead to a bigger swing in a next election, which will never be that far off. Plus there is the chance of pushing through some of their policies.
If they are with the tories they are the only 2 faces at the negotiation over each policy. With a lab pact all the extra minor parties which would be required reduces the lib dems position and puts more faces around the table so to speak.

ali x

Clearly Cleggs speach earlier was a clear indication that he's not prepared to form any kind of alliance with Labour - which leave Brown dead in the water.

That doesn't mean Clegg will form an alliance with the Tories either but if the Tories have the most seats, Cameron doesn't need Clegg - all Cameron needs is for Brown not to gain Cleggs support.

The other option is that Clegg's bluffing and appearing to be not making any deals with Brown in order to ensure the deal he does negotiate with Brown is a much sweeter deal for the LibDems, but I honestly believe Clegg when he says that the one with the most votes should win.

geri1965_2

He's a political tart. All those people who voted Lib Dem because they didn't want the Tories to get in must be feeling utterly shafted.

Graham_Devon

geri1965 wrote: »

He's a political tart. All those people who voted Lib Dem because they didn't want the Tories to get in must be feeling utterly shafted.

Well you could say that about anyone who voted for any party.

How shafted do you think tory voters would feel considering their votes made up the largest share, but the 2 runner up parties form the government after buying other parties in and Brown STILL sits there as PM!?

Sir_Humphrey

The trouble for Clegg is that he risks openly splitting his party down the middle if he gets into bed with Cameron.

I bet he is wishing he had kept his mush shut before polling day. He may be good on the telly, but he seems to be a hopeless tactician.

Exocet

chucky wrote: »

i don't know Clegg personally but wouldn't have thought he was a decent man at all.

nobody gets to that position in politics without being ruthless and not got there without stabbing a few people in the back here and there.

if people think Clegg is a decent man - they're thinking his media image is decent not the man himself.

Not about image. It's about the man giving a mercifully short speech which essentially backs what he said before the election, yet doesn't do him any favours. Compared to the others he is positively a saint. I am judging purely on the couple of sentences he spoke at about 10:30 - and comparing to the thousands of weasel words from Mandelson who is on max output at the moment.

Just occasionally someone shows they have principles, and I think this is one of those very rare occasions.

edit: btw I think those who disagree with this are still in election mode. I am not saying this for some political ends, just about human stuff - integrity, honesty, backbone even.

chucky

Exocet wrote: »

Not about image. It's about the man giving a mercifully short speech which essentially backs what he said before the election, yet doesn't do him any favours. Compared to the others he is positively a saint. I am judging purely on the couple of sentences he spoke at about 10:30 - and comparing to the thousands of weasel words from Mandelson who is on max output at the moment.

Just occasionally someone shows they have principles, and I think this is one of those very rare occasions.

it's political tactics unfortunately not decency - it will all pan out in the next few days