CONFERENCE SPECIAL
DISCIPLINED LIB DEMS MAKE CASE FOR COALITION
Dominic Pendry Director, Edelman Public Affairs It’s an established political strategy that you haven’t got your message through until people are bored hearing you talk about it. Right now, even casual observers of the news are likely to be tired of hearing that the Liberal Democrats are a party of Government. In that sense, Nick Clegg can look back on the past week as a success. Vince Cable’s histrionics aside, the party has shown remarkable discipline throughout the Conference, ensuring their message has been heard loud and clear. So what does this message boil down to? Practically it entails convincing people the party should be returned to Government in 2015 as part of a coalition. Clegg’s interview with Nick Robinson on Tuesday afternoon made it clear that they are prepared to deal with whichever party receives a plurality in 2015. The end of Danny Alexander’s speech summed it up nicely: ‘not sure Labour can be trusted with the economic recovery? You need a Lib Dem. Don’t expect the Tories to deliver a fairer society? You need a Lib Dem’. The leadership is setting itself up as an anchor to fix future Governments to the centre-ground of politics and away from the extremes of either left or right wing policy. Make no mistake, this was a positive Conference for the Party. The leadership won key votes on the 50p tax rate, the economic recovery, and trident, whilst the days of squabbling over tangential issues that the majority of voters care little about appear behind them. Instead there was a series of policy announcements on small but personal issues that matter. Most notable amongst these was the proposal for free school meals for infants. This gave
Daily Bulletin 2013
the impression of the Lib Dems fighting for issues in Government that can make a positive difference for working families. The leadership stayed on message about its key themes and bore the fruits of a good deal of positive press reaction. However, before we hail the Lib Dems as a natural party of Government, this Conference must be placed in the context of the dire polling position the party has faced for much of this Parliament to date. The latest YouGov poll, which admittedly won’t register the Conference-bounce, still has the Lib Dems behind UKIP. The party has clearly got a long way to go to reach the levels of support which translated into 57 seats at the last election. And there will undoubtedly be further bumps on the road to 2015. The European elections in May 2014 could very easily see the party poll fourth behind the Conservatives, Labour and UKIP as well as unseat some of its 12 MEPs. The party must also guard against simply presenting itself as a means to secure coalition. Election after election, the British public has shown itself inclined towards single-party Government and it is taking time to warm to this message. Nor is the combined unpopularity of the Conservative and Labour Parties enough to guarantee votes for Clegg’s team in 2015. The most likely winners are independents, UKIP, or most likely of all - the ‘Don’t Vote’ party of public apathy. So the party will need to be disciplined, cohesive, and push the positive narrative of achievements in Government and ambition for the future if it is to have any hope of maintaining or advancing its electoral fortunes in 2015. It has made a good start this week.
Edelman | Southside | 105 Victoria Street | SW1E 6QT London | www.edelmaneditions.com | 020 3047 2177 | @edelmanUK