UK - Lib Dem Conference

[fifty5]

BBC Parliament is broadcasting the Lib Dem Conference almost verbatim.

Anyone watching? Any comments?

Some speakers aren't as ept as they'd like to think they are, but from this evening's showing, they stroke my prejudices...

 

[LadyJeanne]

Some speakers aren't as ept as they'd like to think they are, but from this evening's showing, they stroke my prejudices...

Do they charge extra for that?

 

[oggbashan]

Party Conferences are preaching to the converted.

The Party Conference of the party that is currently the Government is of passing interest because some of the ideas MIGHT come to be.

Conferences of opposition parties are less interesting because until their manifesto is produced everything discussed if in the realms of fantasy.

I read manifestos. I think I am in a very small minority.

The viewing figures for the Liberal Democrat Party Conference are probably significantly less than a 111th rerun of Bagpuss.

Og

 

[Just-Legal]

Party Conferences are preaching to the converted.

The Party Conference of the party that is currently the Government is of passing interest because some of the ideas MIGHT come to be.

Conferences of opposition parties are less interesting because until their manifesto is produced everything discussed if in the realms of fantasy.

I read manifestos. I think I am in a very small minority.

The viewing figures for the Liberal Democrat Party Conference are probably significantly less than a 111th rerun of Bagpuss.

Og

I missed a bagpuss rerun? Godsdamnedit

And... I read manifestos! But then again, I am (now officially, I have my ID card and everything) a Politics Student.

 

[fifty5]

Party Conferences are preaching to the converted.

Exactly - so they let their guard down and show what they'd only show to friends

The Party Conference of the party that is currently the Government is of passing interest because some of the ideas MIGHT come to be.
Conferences of opposition parties are less interesting because until their manifesto is produced everything discussed if in the realms of fantasy.

Don't you find others' fantasies revealing then, Og?

I read manifestos. I think I am in a very small minority.
The viewing figures for the Liberal Democrat Party Conference are probably significantly less than a 111th rerun of Bagpuss.

But then, so (probably) might be the entire BBC Parliament channel...

And, since I'm a Party Member (I'm sure you'd never have guessed) they rang to tap me for a sub (so far, just setting the stage) and the lass on the 'phone asked if I'd seen any of the coverage on the news. When I told her I'd been watching the BBC Parliament coverage, she seemed gob-smacked.

Actually, that was part of the reason I opened the thread....

And bumped it!

 

[oggbashan]

Locally we have had a Lib/Lab local government, with Lib as the major partner, for 14 years.

Their actions are more revealing than their fantasies.

This year the administration changed to Conservative. Their actions have yet to show fruit because changing the course cannot be done with an agreed budget for this year.

I have little hope that the change will be any better.

Og

 

[fifty5]

Locally we have had a Lib/Lab local government, with Lib as the major partner, for 14 years.
Their actions are more revealing than their fantasies.
This year the administration changed to Conservative. Their actions have yet to show fruit because changing the course cannot be done with an agreed budget for this year.
I have little hope that the change will be any better.
Og

Again, I'm prejudiced (meaning that I've considered these points before and have a judgment down pat...)

As a sound-byte, "Local government is currently only local administration..."

The trouble is that most 'local government' is funded from Westminster - and is subject to Westminster regulation.

In consequence, if any locally elected councillors want to do something different, either a) they can't, or b) the effect upon local taxation is disproportionate.

I'll also admit that Lib Dems aren't immune to the 'power corrupts' hypothesis...

I'm still a sucker for the basic Liberal tenet of individual freedom (from want, as well as from central regulation).

 

[kendo1]

When was Bagpuss on?
Damn! I loved the mice: "We can do it! We can do it!"