Sheffield Lib Dem activist: Replacing Clegg is “topic that people talk most about in the party”

Right-Wing Watch

Nick Clegg intends to lead the Liberal Democrat Party at the next election, but will the people of Sheffield Hallam vote him back in?

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A Liberal Democrat activist from Sheffield, home of Nick Clegg’s constituency, has said the possibility of replacing the leader of the party is widely discussed amongst members.

nick-cleggThe activist, who isn’t named, told the New Statesman:

“It is the topic that people talk about most in the party, but it’s a whispered conversation because people find the whole thing a bit difficult.”

Lib Dem approval ratings have dropped dramatically since their unprecedented popularity in the run up to the 2010 general election. Broken election promises on tuition fees and other actions in support of the Tories have alienated some of the most die hard Liberals.

You Gov voting intention figures from yesterday show the Lib Dems on 9% (Conservatives 31%, Labour 45%). In the 2010 general election, the Lib Dems polled 23%. In regards to who would make a good prime minister, the latest poll shows only 5% say Nick Clegg.

Rafael Behr writes:

The act of compromise, without which two-party government is impossible, reinforces the Lib Dems’ reputation for weakness and cynicism. It is a terrible fix – the device that defines coalition has become, in Clegg’s hands, also the practice that debases it.

 

See also:

• Treasury avoiding questions about Clegg’s ambitious investment plans 23 May 2012

• Cleggeron’s “born to rule assumptions” and “English exceptionalism” threaten Union 15 May 2012

• Time for Clegg to bridge the early intervention gap and act on social mobility 15 May 2012

 

However, the New Statesman report goes on to say that many are resistant to expelling their leader in case it has the opposite effect:

As one loyalist says: “Our best hope at the next election is to be able to say we stuck together in difficult times. That includes sticking by the leader”.

Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, has dismissed the possibility of Clegg stepping down from the leadership:

“He’s been doing a fantastic job as Deputy PM and as party leader. He will continue into the election and into the next parliament. Have no doubt about that.”

So Nick Clegg intends to lead the Liberal Democrat Party at the next election, but will the people of Sheffield Hallam vote him back in?

 

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26 Responses to “Sheffield Lib Dem activist: Replacing Clegg is “topic that people talk most about in the party””

  1. Info

    If you analyse the votes in the local elections in Hallam it is very heavy for Clegg. He will keep that seat as will a lot of lib dem incumbents where the Tories are in second place. They will suffer where labour is the second party

  2. James Gallagher

    I’m not sure it’s ‘heavy for Clegg’ as such. It’s heavy for the Lib Dems, yes, but that’s partly because most Tory voters in Sheffield realise that they have no councillors (even the Green Party have 2, so the Tories seriously are a total irrelevance around here) and so the Lib Dems are the only option to “keep Labour out”. I’m not so sure that would apply in a general election, especially in a place like this. Hallam (and it’s replacement constituency) incorporate 3 student villages and I can’t see them voting for Clegg in their droves.

  3. Mark Bunn

    Replacing Clegg is "topic that people talk most about in the party", says Sheffield Lib Dem member: http://t.co/iZFW6tsT by @LFFKatie

  4. Martin Scothern

    Replacing Clegg is "topic that people talk most about in the party", says Sheffield Lib Dem member: http://t.co/iZFW6tsT by @LFFKatie

  5. John McNeill

    Replacing Clegg is "topic that people talk most about in the party", says Sheffield Lib Dem member: http://t.co/iZFW6tsT by @LFFKatie

Comments are closed.