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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not understand why the defecting MPs don't join the Lib Dems?

27 replies

Sadik · 21/02/2019 16:47

Apologies if there've been threads on this that I've missed. As I understand it, they want a moderate centrist politics something along the lines of European social democrats, plus they're all pro-EU.

Isn't this roughly the position of the Lib Dems? And they have a well established party machine and are - allowing for the problems of 1st past the post - actually quite popular.

I should say I've never voted LD, but they do seem a fair match for what this group of MPs are saying they want. I don't even think it's careerism, as the LDs have taken in defectors in the past and promoted them fast Confused

Is this just going to be a re-run of the 80s with them going alone for a while a la the Gang of Four then folding into the LDs in the end??

OP posts:
birdsdestiny · 21/02/2019 16:52

They would be mad to go in with the Lib dems, in my view the thing they have got going for them is that they would be a new party. I wouldn't vote lib dem but I may vote for the new party is it exists!

moosesormeece · 21/02/2019 16:54

I suspect they're hoping the Lib Dems will fold in to them. The LD name is basically mud to too many people (including me!) since 2010 so this is more of a fresh attempt to take the centre ground.

To be honest I think the best that they can hope for is moderate electoral success that forces Labour (and I suppose the Tories but I have low expectations there) to take a long hard look at itself. But as a Labour person who didn't drink the Corbyn kool aid I find the whole thing very disheartening.

Stopandlook · 21/02/2019 16:55

I don’t understand either. Especially under Vince Cable who is pretty smart.

Original poster
Sadik · 21/02/2019 16:57

birdsdestiny why wouldn't you vote LD? Because of the coalition? Agree that was a stupid choice (and after the LibLab govt how could they not see that) - but what's not to say that this new bunch wouldn't make the same call?

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Stickerrocks · 21/02/2019 16:58

The Lib Dems were tainted since they formed the coalition and enabled the Tories to wreck havoc.secretly hoping Jo Swinson will see the light & throw her hat in with them.

birdsdestiny · 21/02/2019 16:58

Because they are virulently misogynist .

Original poster
Sadik · 21/02/2019 16:58

I do despair of Westminster politics. While I'm not always a big fan of individual politicians I'm much happier with the situation here in Wales where you can make a meaningful vote for any party. (I don't think Welsh Labour is any improvement on the UK version though!)

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KennDodd · 21/02/2019 17:00

I think they have agreed with the LibDems not to stand against each other.

sunshinesupermum · 21/02/2019 17:00

Lib Dems lost all credibility after the student fee fiasco. They can't even decide on a decent leader.

Stickerrocks · 21/02/2019 17:01

I was a Lib Dem voter until that point. I live in an eminent Brexiteer's constituency, Tory through & through. I've voted Green ever since as all the opposition votes cast are less than our local Tory majority.

birdsdestiny · 21/02/2019 17:02

The lib dems are frantically discussing on what terms they should accept the independent mps, having failed to notice that the indecent group haven't asked to join them Grin

birdsdestiny · 21/02/2019 17:03

Indecent groupHmm, I would definitely vote for them

dirtystinkyrats · 21/02/2019 17:06

I think part of the point of the Independent Group is that they have all been forced by their party whip to vote against what they believe in a number of times. I would like them to stay as a loose group and not a 'party' or perhaps as a party (for financial reasons) but with no party whip. MPs actually voting for what they believe in would be new and different!

rightreckoner · 21/02/2019 17:11

Aimee Challoner is why I will never vote LD again. And I think any woman who understands the extent of what’s going on will think the same.

dirtystinkyrats · 21/02/2019 17:12

I do actually think the Lib Dems and the new group have a lot in common in attitude as well as policy. Lib Dems basically threw their party under a bus for what they believed was the right thing to do when they went into coalition (and clearly to some extent moderated Tory policy as it got worse when they left) and new Independent Group are now unlikely to get re elected purely because without a big party machine they won't have the funds to campaign. I'm not sure whether the cynicism (realism) of the two big parties is preferable to following your conscience when it comes to actually getting things done but they all have that lemming thing about them.

(Actually I think they have made a fantastic decision and wish it was the standard not the exception to genuinely do what you think is right rather than petty points scoring all the time.)

m00rfarm · 21/02/2019 17:13

Lib dems are not a credible alternative. But I am posting because I thought the OP said "defecating" which really confused me.

Bluntness100 · 21/02/2019 17:13

Joining the Lib Dem's would be an absolutely guaranteed way to see them sent to oblivion with no credibility.

As a new party with no history, they have an ability to make their voices heard, and don't have to overcome hurdles and historical feelings, they'd be nuts to join the Lib Dem's.

Original poster
Sadik · 21/02/2019 17:14

m00rfarm, frankly right now I think they're all pretty crap...

OP posts:
DisrespectfulAdultFemale · 21/02/2019 17:14

Because although they're idiots they're not total dickheads?

Original poster
Sadik · 21/02/2019 17:15

"As a new party with no history, they have an ability to make their voices heard, and don't have to overcome hurdles and historical feelings, they'd be nuts to join the Lib Dem's."

Whereas to me it just feels like the Gang of Four all over again

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Original poster
Sadik · 21/02/2019 17:15

"Because although they're idiots they're not total dickheads?"

Grin
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longwayoff · 21/02/2019 17:21

With you rightreckoner, ditto for Green party.

Lumene · 21/02/2019 17:25

Because the Lib Dem’s are a party infested with perverts and misogynists?

Mistlewoeandwhine · 21/02/2019 17:27

Well, they all seem to vote consistently for foreign wars so that should get them a lot of financial backing.

cardibach · 21/02/2019 17:29

As a new party - but they aren’t a party. They are registered as a company (with their website registered in Panama Hmm) and therefore they don’t have to reveal where their funding comes from. I think that bit of information is crucial before anyone rushes to support them...