Monthly Archives: March 2011

How would AV change UK politics?

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Matthew

In my post last week I explained why I am supporting the Alternative Vote (AV) in the forthcoming UK referendum.  This case was based on principle.  We have a system of single member constituencies.  First past the post (FPTP) carries … Continue reading →

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Posted in Politics UK | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Cuts: where will all the anger go?

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Matthew

Today the TUC is orchestrating a big demo in London against the cuts.  Yesterday the Labour party hosted a “People’s Policy Forum” on the cuts.  The focus of both events is anger.  The idea that the cuts are unnecessary is … Continue reading →

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Posted in Politics UK | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

AV: why I am voting Yes to a beautiful British compromise

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Matthew

Referendum Day approaches and the polls are tightening.  The public at large has yet to show much interest, but the referendum on the Alternative Vote (AV) is an important event in our political history.  Yet nobody can be surprised that … Continue reading →

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Posted in Politics UK, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Off balance

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Matthew

The think tank Reform is a master of guerilla tactics.  It claims to be one of the most influential of right-wing think tanks, but it cannot be described as heavyweight.  It flits from one subject to the next, making eye-catching … Continue reading →

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Libya: the UN motion is not just a cynical gesture

Posted on March 19, 2011 by Matthew

I’m getting a bit fed up with commentators who launch into diatribes based on generalities, without bothering to examine the facts of the case in point.  Libya is the latest example.  I have read two articles critical of the UN … Continue reading →

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Posted in World | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Losing voters we never won

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Matthew

Any Liberal Democrat activist will have been nearly buried by comments from people saying that they will never vote for the party again.  Mostly these are genuine, and polling shows that the party has lost half its support.  But I … Continue reading →

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Posted in Politics UK | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

The strange cohesion of the Liberal Democrats

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Matthew

I was at the Liberal Democrat conference in Sheffield last weekend.  The most striking thing about it was how upbeat it was.  Disagreements were downplayed; discussion was civilised; people didn’t seem to be spooked by the polls, still less the … Continue reading →

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Posted in Politics UK | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

10 years of Spiked

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Matthew

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of this online journal.  Spiked represents a different sort of liberalism to the type that I associate with.  It stands up for freedom all right; in the words of its editor Brendan O’Neill in his … Continue reading →

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The census and religion

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Matthew

Our census questionnaire hit the doormat yesterday.  As usual the census is stirring up a bit of controversy.  Simon Beard is worried about the data being managed by Lockheed Martin, a defence contractor.  I’m not overly bothered by this, but … Continue reading →

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Liberals shouldn’t be scared of Murdoch

Posted on March 8, 2011 by Matthew

Here is a short piece of mine published on Lib Dem Voice.  In it I argue that Murdoch is part of scrap amongst right-wing newspapers which those of a liberal persuasion can observe without taking sides.  It attracted a few … Continue reading →

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