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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
How punchbag Clegg can fight back
April 26, 2011 11:58 AM
• [Apr 24] John Kampfner* writes: YOU have to hand it to the man. Britain's political punchbag takes the blows, day after day, and just stands there. Now Nick Clegg, deputy prime minister and Liberal Democrat leader, is preparing for the biggest barrage yet. But those who think impending defeat will mean the beginning of the end for this bruised leader should think again.
If polls are correct Mr Clegg will see his party emasculated in local elections on May 5, while his prized goal, reform of the voting system, might also be defeated. The contrast with last year's "Cleggmania" is stark. Since then Mr Clegg has offended the left by putting on hold Britain's nascent centre-left consensus, while the right smarts that a Conservative leader need be propped up at all.
Both sides are therefore out to damage him, aided by a press still struggling to come to terms with a European-style consensual form of politics . . From early May a stream of stories will proclaim a crisis, and probably a leadership bid . . Mr Clegg can take some comfort that there is no viable replacement . . Tim Farron, a figure increasingly popular inside his party but unknown outside it, knows 2011 is much too early for him
. . The fresh-faced politician of May 2010 is now battle hardened. He remains determined to keep his coalition going for a full five years, and to show that liberals, even if not popular, are at least good at governing. The odds are stacked against him. But if he succeeds, it's even possible the public might give him a second look as well.
* Chief executive of Index on Censorship and author of Freedom for Sale
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