Don't panic! They know just what they're doing...
This week YouGov released a poll showing support for the Lib Dems has dropped to a feeble 9 per cent. Abandoning their policy on tuition fees threatens alienating a large part of their base—young people—from the party for years. Most predict annihilation for the Liberals in next year’s local elections. Time for Clegg & co to panic, right?
Apparently not. Despite nosediving in the polls, senior Lib Dem advisers and MPs are genuinely excited about the post-coalition prospects for their party. And with good reason.
A central problem for Liberals has always been that they are not seen as a credible option, a wasted vote that could never be in government. Now the public are seeing them in the newspapers and on TV daily, in government, making serious decisions. In a strange sort of way, the spending cuts could help them convey gravitas, showing that the Lib Dems are a governing party not just a pressure group.
Furthermore, a new dividing line is emerging in politics, favouring Liberals, of pluralism versus tribalism. The public like politicians working together to solve problems. If the Lib Dems enter into coalition with Labour in Scotland next year (a strong possibility), and make Westminster and Holyrood government work, voters could well favour pluralist, coalition government in the future. If people think Lib Dems are a serious force and coalitions are normalised, more people could be more likely to vote Lib Dems in a national election.
You have now reached your limit of 3 free articles in the last 30 days.
But don't worry! You can get another 7 articles absolutely free, simply by entering your email address in the box below.
When you register we'll also send you a free e-book—Writing with punch—which includes some of the finest writing from our archive of 22 years. And we'll also send you a weekly newsletter with the best new ideas in politics and philosophy of culture, which you can of course unsubscribe from at any time
Prospect may process your personal information for our legitimate business purposes, to provide you with our newsletter, subscription offers and other relevant information.
Click to learn more about these interests and how we use your data. You will be able to object to this processing on the next page and in all our communications.
Julian Gilbert