Banks and Labour on the ropes - here come the Lib Dems...
With not one but two massive US investment banks on the ropes, triggering even more financial turmoil (including a collapse in share prices), and Gordon Brown increasingly surrounded by rebels baying for his blood, it would be hard to claim that the Liberal Democrats' autumn conference here in Bournemouth was at the top of anybody's news schedule.
But it has its interest nevertheless: after years espousing the virtues of a more collectivist tax-and-spend approach than even Labour was prepared to contemplate, the Lib Dems have now rediscovered the virtues of the market and are now calling for lower taxes and smaller government. Whether this is a genuine conversion or provoked by fear of being wiped out by the Tories in the South of England we will test when we kick off our party conference coverage for 2008 with a big interview with the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg. We'll also find time to ask him why his party now sounds more Eurosceptic (which suggests the Tories really do have them rattled).
Not everybody here in Bournemouth is happy with the change in direction, which will be debated and voted on today. But Mr Clegg can count on the support of his popular economics spokesman, Vince Cable; we'll carry his keynote speech live. We'll also hear from a former party bigwig who argues Nick Clegg needs to take the party to the right of the Conservatives to avoid defeat (you can watch what he - Mark Littlewood - has to say right now, here). Since that's what he seems to be doing, the bigwig will no doubt be a happy chappie. And we've got the results of an exclusive Daily Politics poll on taxation.
We'll also have all the latest on the rebellious Labour MPs eager to give Gordon Brown the chop and any political fallout from the financial ructions, which won't make the PM's life any easier. That's all in today's Daily Politics Conference Special, live from Bournemouth and London, on BBC2 from Noon.
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Bigwig? Mark Littlewood? Please....Bruce Forsythe has a bigger big wig. Wasnt he the one that was allegedly 'tired and emotional' and told journalists at the Lib Dem Spring conference 18 months ago that they were going to make a pact with Labour. Clearly a knowledgeable chap that you are speaking to on all things of the third party. The Daily Politics should not insult our intelligence.
Roger
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Clegg does deserve some credit for recognising that lower taxes and smaller government are needed after 11 years of Labour.
The problem is, you sort of get the feeling, that like Tony Blair - this is one man who knows roughly what to do, but is backed up by a party who couldn't manage anything for toffee - let alone deliver the Clegg (Cameron) vision.
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It doesn't really matter anymore Andrew, today voters are either pro or anti Labour and any vote in another camp will be seen as a wasted vote.
I also think Vince Cable is wasted in the LibDems, clearly an intelligent guy, I wish he'd join Dashing Dave and become a Tory.
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Andrew:
Thanks for the first time on your blog...
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Interesting way of putting it: the Lib Dems are rediscovering the virtues of the market by calling for less taxes and smaller government! ;-)
Loved Vince Cable's speech yesterday. The Lib Dem conference seems quite exciting to me.
Maybe that's cause you're reporting on it for us! Great to have you back!
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P.S. I meant the Lib Dems are rediscovering the 'virtues' of the market! Can you add that word 'virtues' for me, dear moderator?
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The Lib Dems are also on the ball about the vices of the market, by calling for less tax loop holes and evasions. ;-)
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The country does not want Gordon Brown to concentrate on the problems facing us...it just wants Gordon Brown to resign.
That's the message from the by-election disasters and the opinion polls.
No-one wants his "long-term vision". We've had it for 11 years and it didn't work and the polls are screaming 'GO!!!!!'
Next time a Labour minister trots out this mantra could you point this out please Andrew?
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At last a party with policies that are progressive and fair. Cameron and his policy lite party will really have to start articulating what the Tories actually stand for as his somewhat vacuous comments are increasingly seen for what they are.
After this week Clegg, Cable and Campbell are being seen as more than a match for the other so called party heavyweights.
It is just a pity that the journalists do not use their critical faculties to compare and contrast the partt leadership, instead of making the superficial comments and trtting out the usual cliches.
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