Monday, March 20, 2006

LibDem Elections are Like Buses

Three LibDem elections in one month is too much for anyone to endure, but following hot on the heels of the leadership election, this week the 63 MPs will choose between Paul Burstow and Richard Younger-Ross for their new Chief Whip. Sadly I will be somewhere over the Atlantic when the result is announced. I shall try to contain my disappointment. Next Wednesday sees the election for Deputy Imperial Leader. Vince Cable, Matthew Taylor and David Heath are fighting it out. I suppose Cable is the favourite but you'd have thought being Treasury spokesman would keep him busy enough.
Let your email find you with BlackBerry from Vodafone

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wouldn't want to worry you Tories with concepts like 'democracy' ;)

Actually, the smart money's on Matthew Taylor for deputy.

Anonymous said...

David Heath is a strong dark horse in that particular race. He is very highly regarded by his colleagues and rightly so - it is a shame more isn't seen of him by the public as he is exceptionally capable. His work on civil liberties issues has been tremendous, he is immensely intelligent and likeable.

Vince Cable is also very highly regarded of course but there are perception issues. No doubt you and others would have some "harmless" fun with both he and Ming being older gentlemen even though Ming's overall team is well balanced. Matthew Taylor presents himself well but lost the chairmanship of the parliamentary party in June and is seen by some as lightweight (a bit unfairly).

On the chief whip position, it is hard to see beyond Paul Burstow. Younger-Ross is a very sound constituency MP who did well to win and secure what is on paper a true blue seat, but Burstow is the more substantial figure.

Anonymous said...

Heath has secured some key endorsements, which will help him. I expect the race to be very close between Cable and Heath- taylor has shown his lack of support in loss to Paul Holmes last year in an election involving the parliamentary party.

Anonymous said...

Surely it should be Imperial Grand Vizier.

Anonymous said...

I think Cable is to like Ming. David is very sound, but I feel that it is time for Matthew Taylor to return to the front bench. Ming did not put him there so I hope that the parliamentary party will.

Anonymous said...

LibDem Elections are Like Buses? Do you mean full of liars?

Anonymous said...

Working class oik: Eh? Please explain the joke to the whole class.