Thank heavens for that!

[Reynard Bleu]

Thet are sorry they made a promise they did not keep, not sorry about raising the fees, how liberal..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19646731

[MooseBreath]

Do they think anyone cares? They're not getting anywhere near any real power again for decades. They are the definition of irrelevant.

[leicsmac]

Politics 101:

When you get voted into a position of relative power, do not immediately then pursue a course of action that not only involves breaking a core principle of your party, but also alienates pretty much your entire voter base.

Doing so tends to mean trouble when the next election comes around.

[Captain...]

Politics 101:

When you get voted into a position of relative power, do not immediately then pursue a course of action that not only involves breaking a core principle of your party, but also alienates pretty much your entire voter base.

Doing so tends to mean trouble when the next election comes around.

Politics 102:

Fvck the voter base if it means getting in to power, even if it is a miserable little compromise with an ideologically opposed party, sell your souls for a shot at power, it's not like you were ever going to get into power anyway with an undemocratic first past the post system.

(Not condoning what they did, was shameful, but politics is the act of getting into power by any means possible lie cheat and steal your way to the top, then bask in the glow of power, blaming everything on the last lot, confident that any fvcks up will end up the problem of the next lot that come in and pick up the pieces.)

[leicsmac]

Politics 102:

Fvck the voter base if it means getting in to power, even if it is a miserable little compromise with an ideologically opposed party, sell your souls for a shot at power, it's not like you were ever going to get into power anyway with an undemocratic first past the post system.

(Not condoning what they did, was shameful, but politics is the act of getting into power by any means possible lie cheat and steal your way to the top, then bask in the glow of power, blaming everything on the last lot, confident that any fvcks up will end up the problem of the next lot that come in and pick up the pieces.)

Quoted for truth. They sold their souls for a little time in power, and now they're going to get kicked back into the long grass come election time.

But as you insinuate....do they really care about that now they've had their 15 minutes of fame? And also as you insinuate...given the voting structure in this country they weren't going to get power any other way.

I think this all proves that power, above all, corrupts.

[Captain...]

Quoted for truth. They sold their souls for a little time in power, and now they're going to get kicked back into the long grass come election time.

But as you insinuate....do they really care about that now they've had their 15 minutes of fame? And also as you insinuate...given the voting structure in this country they weren't going to get power any other way.

I think this all proves that power, above all, corrupts.

I'm pretty sure they will scapegoat Clegg and get a new leader in in time for the elctions, I also wouldn't be surprised if they engineer a break up of the coalition too, it can't do their chances any harm, and would probably give both parties a boost.

[leicsmac]

I'm pretty sure they will scapegoat Clegg and get a new leader in in time for the elctions, I also wouldn't be surprised if they engineer a break up of the coalition too, it can't do their chances any harm, and would probably give both parties a boost.

I'm surprised they haven't done this already, since they must know at the moment they're committing political suicide and the above thing would probably be the only way to get at least some of their core voters back.

[Guest MattP]

The Lib Dems probably say different things in different parts of the country to get votes, it's easy to make promises you can't keep when there is 0% chance of you winning an election outright.

Be interesting to see where their core vote goes mind, they won't vote Tory and most Lib Dems supporters are far too posh to tell their friends they have voted Labour.

Massive hole in the market for someone.

[Guest MattP]

I do like the fact Clegg made it very clear in the video that it was a policy error mind and that it was foolish to promise something so expensive in such a time of economic crisis.

[Tom17LCFC]

what an absolute tool.

I'm tempted to start my own political party and pledge a load of lies to get into power.

[Jon the Hat]

I do find this hilarious. History showed you could promise any old shit if you were the Lib Dems, then suddenly they find themselves in Government, and the real world strikes.

I still don't get why everyone is blind to the fact that the fees are competely irrelevant, and the "loans" are a graduate tax.

[Captain...]

I do find this hilarious. History showed you could promise any old shit if you were the Lib Dems, then suddenly they find themselves in Government, and the real world strikes.

I still don't get why everyone is blind to the fact that the fees are competely irrelevant, and the "loans" are a graduate tax.

Because not everyone can get a student loan, and it is only a short step to cutting loan requirements as opposed to raising fees again.

In defence of the Lib Dems, they couldn't actually implement their policies as they didn't get elected, they were not lies, they are not in power to do as they please, they are stuck in a miserable little compromise that has done neither parties nor this country any favour.

What they did do wrong was vote for the tuition fees, when saying they wouldn't.

[21st Century Fox]

[davieG]

A spoof video where Nick Clegg appears to sing an apology about his party's tuition fees U-turn is to be released as a single on iTunes.

The deputy prime minister has given his permission for the film to be issued by satirical website thepoke after it received thousands of views.

He has requested all profits be given to the Children's Hospital Charity in Sheffield, where he is an MP.

Mr Clegg's wife Miriam is a patron of the charity.

The charity helps supports children's services across the Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust.

Lib Dem front bencher Steve Webb says it took guts for Mr Clegg to apologise

An "auto-tune" version of Mr Clegg's statement - in which he repeatedly sings sorry - emerged on Thursday.

The official version, in which Mr Clegg apologises for the Lib Dems breaking their pre-election pledge not to raise tuition fees, is to be officially broadcast on Monday - the third day of the party's autumn conference.

Asked about the spoof video's release, Lib Dem Pensions Minister Steve Webb joked that the party would be hiring the website to produce its next party political broadcast.

He told the BBC's Daily Politics that it "took guts" for Mr Clegg to make such a public apology and that political parties did not get anywhere without "taking chances".

"He knew this was going to be on YouTube," he said. "He knew it was going to be out there but he thought it was the right thing to do and I agree with him."

Liam Burns, from the National Union of Students, said Mr Clegg was a "good sport" for allowing the video to be released.

But he claimed the gesture would be "no solace" to graduates leaving university with huge debts and the apology was more about Mr Clegg's efforts to "detoxify himself" after the fees row than embracing more "honest politics".

[davieG]

Yes it was a stupid thing to do but....

LIke Labour & Conservatives are any better at keeping their manifesto pledges.

There isn't half some blinkered views on here about how much better the party people vote for is.

If I'm not mistaken wasn't this a coalition of two parties, haven't the Tories compromised on their manifesto to get their slice of power.

What would the public in general be saying if the LD had partnered up with Labour or forced another election, in many respect linking up with the Tories was the only sensible, pragmatic option open to them, surely in effect by their voting this is what the public where asking for.

Politics and politicians at government and local level in the most part stinks.

[Captain...]

Yes it was a stupid thing to do but....

LIke Labour & Conservatives are any better at keeping their manifesto pledges.

There isn't half some blinkered views on here about how much better the party people vote for is.

If I'm not mistaken wasn't this a coalition of two parties, haven't the Tories compromised on their manifesto to get their slice of power.

What would the public in general be saying if the LD had partnered up with Labour or forced another election, in many respect linking up with the Tories was the only sensible, pragmatic option open to them, surely in effect by their voting this is what the public where asking for.

Politics and politicians at government and local level in the most part stinks.

The problem was they couldn't actually form a majority with labour, I really wish that the conservatives had ruled for a year or 2 with a minority rule and policies had to actually be considered and debated amongst labour and liberals and the snp and dup, and to be agreed by the majority and not just forced through by the ruling party without needing due care and consideration. I do get so sick of party politics, if conservatives say black labour say white, if they actually had to work together combine the 'expertise' of all elected MPs then surely we would have a greater chance of getting somewhere. As for the lib dems it was just not just about their manifesto they also promised to always vote against increases in tuition fees, a clever vote winning tactic, and something they could have easily done with their 30 odd seats if the conservatives had won a majority and not had to form this coalition. It was an empty, irrelevant promise, as they were never going to win, and as part of the opposition would naturally oppose it anyway.

[davieG]

The problem was they couldn't actually form a majority with labour, I really wish that the conservatives had ruled for a year or 2 with a minority rule and policies had to actually be considered and debated amongst labour and liberals and the snp and dup, and to be agreed by the majority and not just forced through by the ruling party without needing due care and consideration. I do get so sick of party politics, if conservatives say black labour say white, if they actually had to work together combine the 'expertise' of all elected MPs then surely we would have a greater chance of getting somewhere. As for the lib dems it was just not just about their manifesto they also promised to always vote against increases in tuition fees, a clever vote winning tactic, and something they could have easily done with their 30 odd seats if the conservatives had won a majority and not had to form this coalition. It was an empty, irrelevant promise, as they were never going to win, and as part of the opposition would naturally oppose it anyway.

I'm not excusing the LDs it's just the tone of this topic makes out they are the only dishonest, incompetent, backstabbing, self gratifying bunch.

Haven't the Tories gone along with and voted for some LD policies that they were against, that's what happens when you have a coalition. If you had all three parties working together it's inevitable that there would need to be significant compromise, wouldn't that lead to parties producing ever more vacuous manifestos because they wouldn't be able to say what they want for fear of being accused of 'turning'

[Captain...]

I'm not excusing the LDs it's just the tone of this topic makes out they are the only dishonest, incompetent, backstabbing, self gratifying bunch.

Haven't the Tories gone along with and voted for some LD policies that they were against, that's what happens when you have a coalition. If you had all three parties working together it's inevitable that there would need to be significant compromise, wouldn't that lead to parties producing ever more vacuous manifestos because they wouldn't be able to say what they want for fear of being accused of 'turning'

Well in an ideal world they would give you an idea or commitment to how they would vote on certain issues, then you would vote for the person that best represents your views, then they would be your voice in parliament.

Politics in this country is an undemocratic sham, credit to Clegg for apologising, but he could have admitted the truth, they agreed to sell their souls and principals for a shot of power.

You can justify it all you want with economics and fiscal policy, but these policies were also put into place by this coalition with the support of the lib dems despite it also going against their ideology.

[davieG]

Well in an ideal world they would give you an idea or commitment to how they would vote on certain issues, then you would vote for the person that best represents your views, then they would be your voice in parliament.

Politics in this country is an undemocratic sham, credit to Clegg for apologising, but he could have admitted the truth, they agreed to sell their souls and principals for a shot of power.

You can justify it all you want with economics and fiscal policy, but these policies were also put into place by this coalition with the support of the lib dems despite it also going against their ideology.

I'd like all candidates to be independent at elections so you can choose an individual who best represents you and they then should have a free vote on everything. The PM/cabinet could be elected by those 'independent' MPs or you could have a separate election for PM who then chooses their own cabinet. However I'm not that naive to believe that you wouldn't end up with alliances and groupings but at least there's a chance they would be formed based purely on the issue and you would see MPs united on one issue but on opposing sides in another, a proper mix and match based on their personal beliefs and what they 'promised' their electorate.

I'm sure it will be seen as pie in the sky and unachievable utopia but I just cannot support the present narrow, corrupt and undemocratic system.

[Captain...]

I'd like all candidates to be independent at elections so you can choose an individual who best represents you and they then should have a free vote on everything. The PM/cabinet could be elected by those 'independent' MPs or you could have a separate election for PM who then chooses their own cabinet. However I'm not that naive to believe that you wouldn't end up with alliances and groupings but at least there's a chance they would be formed based purely on the issue and you would see MPs united on one issue but on opposing sides in another, a proper mix and match based on their personal beliefs and what they 'promised' their electorate.

I'm sure it will be seen as pie in the sky and unachievable utopia but I just cannot support the present narrow, corrupt and undemocratic system.

I'm with you there Mr G

[Webbo]

Politics are a compromise . There are individuals in all parties that vote for thing that they don't agree with because they sign up to a party to push a general consensus.

If everybody stuck rigidly to their own individual agenda then nothing would ever get done.

[Captain...]

Politics are a compromise . There are individuals in all parties that vote for thing that they don't agree with because they sign up to a party to push a general consensus.

If everybody stuck rigidly to their own individual agenda then nothing would ever get done.

If that thing not getting done is not the will of the people then so be it. If only 30% of the people of Britain want to be a part of the eu, for example, then we shouldn't be part of it even if the majority party's brain trust think we should be.

There would be a danger of stagnation, but sometimes we are guilty of change for changes sake, and it would encourage harmony and cooperation amongst the ideologically opposed rather than opposition and conflict.

[davieG]

Politics are a compromise . There are individuals in all parties that vote for thing that they don't agree with because they sign up to a party to push a general consensus.

If everybody stuck rigidly to their own individual agenda then nothing would ever get done.

How is that true if every MP voted based on their beliefs and not on the Party political line you're still just as likely to get a majority for or against.

Party politics encourages politicians to be dishonest about their beliefs so how on earth can we trust them to be telling the truth when they're systematically voting for something they don't believe in and if they do get a smack of conscience and vote honestly they are often vilified.

I do not know how anyone can approve of such a system.

[Webbo]

How is that true if every MP voted based on their beliefs and not on the Party political line you're still just as likely to get a majority for or against.

Party politics encourages politicians to be dishonest about their beliefs so how on earth can we trust them to be telling the truth when they're systematically voting for something they don't believe in and if they do get a smack of conscience and vote honestly they are often vilified.

I do not know how anyone can approve of such a system.

There's a difference between not being in favour of something and being violently opposed. There are times when you trade your vote in favour of something your opposed to so that someone else will vote for something you want and vice versa sometimes you'd vote against something because you didn't get your way previously.Sometimes people will vote against things they do believe because it will cost them votes.

That might stick in some people's craw but it's the way of the world, it's human nature.

[davieG]

There's a difference between not being in favour of something and being violently opposed. There are times when you trade your vote in favour of something your opposed to so that someone else will vote for something you want and vice versa sometimes you'd vote against something because you didn't get your way previously.Sometimes people will vote against things they do believe because it will cost them votes.

That might stick in some people's craw but it's the way of the world, it's human nature.

I understand compromise but it will only cost them votes because they've got in on the back of a political party, if they were independent and their electorate knew how and why they were voting in a certain way then it wouldn't.

I don't believe it is human nature I think it's a lot to do with culture and what we've come to accept as normal, somewhat akin to what's happened in football and there's plenty of people in the world that wont compromise their beliefs and principles they just don't happen to be politicians in the main or it would seem a lot of business chiefs.