I agree with Nick.

Firstly, I have to apologize that this blog comes a week after the first Leaders' debate, I hope my thoughts won't be too stale! I wanted tot follow up what I said in my last post about hating the idea of these debates in the first place. It's mainly because we don't vote for a President, like America. We vote for a party and whoever the leader of that party is becomes PM. The party is perfectly within its right to replace a leader without us having a moan about it. That's the way our system is. That's why I was so against these debates because although I'm all for debating things out in the open, I think the whole idea of it gives the wrong impression of our electoral system and government. However, I've changed my mind a little bit since last week. The impact it has had in the media and in the way people are talking and thinking about politics is unprecedented. It's great.

I very much enjoyed watching the debate last and I hope everyone else did to. I will admit that I had a bit of a slump in the middle -about an hour in- where I kind of zoned out...hope I didn't miss anything too important? One thing that made up my mind about who the "winner" was is that, as far as I know, Clegg was the only one who explicitly stated what a Lib Dem government would cut in order to pay for the things they are promising? I mean, that takes some guts. Sure, we could analyze this to death. I read some interesting articles on the aesthetics: the set; their body language; their suits; their ties... However, although some people may vote based on those subconscious (or not so subconscious) things - and by the way if they do, that's none of anyones' business - I tried to look past that and focus on the issues. I'm not going to go through a bit list and compare what they said about this and that because it can all be found in their manifestos. There were no shocking revelations if you has read them (I has only perused them at this point) and after it was over, it was clear that the Lib Dems were the ones able to assert themselves as something "different" or the "changed" that big DC keeps going on about. Also, Nick, if your reading - I was to quick to judge you Sir. I apologize.

So, it's common knowledge now that Nick Clegg came out on top and is now enjoying a "honeymoon" period, as David and Gordon are calling it. Various news outlets keep reporting that the other PM candidates are beginning to call him out on policies but I haven't actually witnessed any footage of any substantial political challenges to Lib Dem policy. However, I could be wrong. They also keep saying things like.. "if you look at Lib Dem policies... you'll find you don't like them very much" I'm paraphrasing. So I though to myself. 'Ok, I'll have a look at these policies and see what I like and I don't like' and I'd like to share those with you now. If you don't mind. Incidentally, some of these might come up in the 'foreign affairs' debate this evening.

Firstly, Europe. This is one of their, would we say controversial, policies that I one hundred percent agree with;

"Make the EU use its collective weight effectively in other areas of foreign policy. Britain can have a far stronger voice on relations with Russia, China, Iran and the Middle East peace process when it joins with the rest of Europe." (p.66)

I'm not sure how my views on Scotland fit into this yet but as we're voting in a General Election, I guess I have to let them slide for now.

I also found this little idea in the manifesto that I don't have any problems with them trying to implement;

"Allow asylum seekers to work, saving taxpayers’ money and allowing them the dignity of earning their living instead of having to depend on handouts." (p.76)

I don't have any better ideas and I wouldn't mind trying this approach. I have problems with lots of ideas being batted about before settling on anything so why not try some new approaches. I'd give the thumbs up to this one.

Here's a biggy for me, reform;

Change politics and abolish safe seats by introducing a fair, more proportional voting system for MPs. Our preferred Single Transferable Vote system gives people the choice between candidates as well as parties. Under the new system, we will be able to reduce the number
of MPs by 150. (p.88)

and

Replace the House of Lords with a fully-elected second chamber
with considerably fewer members than the current House. (p.88)

Oh, and this last one, just in case we were in any doubt of the Lib Dem position on this;

Implement the recommendations of the Calman Commission to give
significant new powers and responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament. (p.92)

Reform is definitely necessary. I am so frustrated with the First Past the Post System that something had better change before the next election or I will not be a happy bunny. Obviously, if you know me, then the reform of the House of Lords comes about a hundred years too late in my opinion. We would elect everything if I had my way. Even the Queen. Now, I don't find any of these idea controversial, although I guess some might. I didn't understand most of the section on the economy. I did try, I promise. Pretty much the only policy I had a major problem with was this one;


"Allow parents to continue to choose faith-based schools within the state-funded sector and allow the establishment of new faith schools. We will ensure that all faith schools develop an inclusive admissions policy and end unfair discrimination on grounds of faith when recruiting staff, except for those principally responsible for optional religious instruction." (p.36)

Just no. I've put in bold the section I deeply disagree with. The rest I don't have so much of a problem with. Maybe it's because I'm not religious but I just don't see separation in education as an issue anymore. It's so outdated. If anything, I feel that it fosters the Catholic/Protestant divide rather than seek to preserve it in a positive manner.

Again, I'm sorry this took so long to get out. I have been compiling it and I'm enjoying writing down my thoughts in my spare time. More thoughts soon. Thanks.

Ali x

Sources

Liberal Democrat Manifesto

Article I've based some of my rants on