Ludicrous Claims from the Lib Dems

I wonder if the Lib Dems Nationally are aware of the rubbish that is sometimes generated at a local level in their party's name? I wonder if they care as long as it wins a few votes?

A local Lib Dem writes a blog, under a pen name (I know - very brave). I refuse to link to it because it is full of absolute rubbish that means it doesn't justify it, but it is linked from the main menu of an official Lib Dem website.

His most recent piece of rubbish is this:

"are councillors really considering paying for legal advice over whether they
can reverse their own decisions to grant planning permission to a reported 35
turbines within the district?"

Not only would such an act be stupid, it wouldn't work and would cost millions. We have never, ever, ever considered this as an option. I suspect that this person has got his brain in a twist because we have decided to revisit policy so that we are making future decisions based on the current situation in the District.

We have a very proud record in Fenland. We generate enough energy from our wind turbines to provide the equivalent of all our domestic power. I personally am proud to have played my part in that. But now we have reached that position, it is right that we take a moment to contemplate our navels before we take any more steps forward. That is responsible, the daft claim from our local Lib Dems isn't.

Negative Press Releases - Spin or not?

I have thought long and hard about whether to post this, because it involves a link to the Cambridgeshire Lib Dems website, which really is so poor that it does not justify the publicity.

However, I thought it was worth doing to highlight an issue, and their website is, by far and away, the best example I could find. Whilst the Lib Dems do ask challenging questions at Full Council meetings, very often they are supportive of the Council position as a whole. But if you read the tone of their press releases, which can be found here, you would think that they disagreed with the Conservative Leadership on every count and that everything in the garden is turning to mud. Furthermore, a great deal of the content of their press releases omit certain essential facts in order to portray things as worse than they are.

Whenever I criticise this they huff and puff in mock horror, yet privately I have had members of their group admit to me that the tone of individual press releases is unhelpful.

I should add at this point, that Cambs Lib Dems are not the only culprits of this, but they certainly seem to be the worst.

Is it valid to make a bid for power by trying to undeservedly destroy a Council's reputation, or is it morally unacceptable? I know what I think.

Interesting Campaigning Strategies

I was out canvassing in Chatteris yesterday for the Fenland District Council elections. It seems that our rather unusual Lib Dem candidate has adopted a strategy of riding around on his bike, finding out where we are working and then rushing ahead to deliver an incredibly negative leaflet (which has now been torn up and thrown in a bin in front of me at least 3 times!!).

Compare that to something of this quality.

But it could be worse, he could be bribing unknown children to deliver his leaflets - a policy that is, I believe, still endorsed by the Lib Dems

It's not because he is old

It's because he is totally uninspiring.

Take today's speech, what did Menzies Campbell add to the debate? What did he bring to the table that is new? Absolutely nothing; he does nothing that could inspire anyone.

In fact he seems to have all but ditched Proportional Representation, the one policy they had that really did set them apart (it's a daft system that leads to weak Government, but at least it was something different).

If the Lib Dems are too scared to sort this problem out he will slowly lead them back to the obscurity that their conduct deserves. I like Ming. :-)

Let's Laugh at the Liberals

I normally avoid local issues on this blog, but I couldn't help this one.

When we were budget setting at the County Council last year the Lib Dems presented a last minute amendment, tabled so late that there was no opportunity to evaluate it. In fact, the only reason it was tabled was as a cheap press stunt.

The trouble is it was a totally indefensible move, so the Conservative administration persuaded the to be a bit more responsible and table their alternative budget so that it could be scrutinised alongside the administration budget. So yesterday we found out that the Liberals have sent out a press release advertising their alternative budget - once again without a single jot of scrutiny from - is it possible that there are elections in May?

Last year, the Lib Dem Leader at Cambridgeshire County Council had the nerve to suggest that his Cambridge City Council colleagues had bizarre scrutiny methods. At least they are open to accountability.

I am really looking forward to getting a look at this budget - because the press release is tantamount to standing out on the street dishing out sweeties - offering all things to all men. Read it and laugh.