I’m not one for praising Ming, largely because there’s very little to praise. Needless to say when I heard about the whole ‘Referendum on the EU’ thing I was taken aback. I mean, it’s one thing for him to mess up in the usual way. But this latest move, well… it’s bad even on the Ming scale of awfulness. That got me thinking. Surely Ming, whilst an absolutely terrible leader, can’t be that bad… can he? To propose a referendum on an issue the party doesn’t see the need for a referendum on?
So, if Ming was given the benefit of the doubt, if we suspended our collective disbelief, is there any politically savvy reason he would have called for a referendum?
Here’s one idea – and it’s not a great one; I mean, I’m clutching at straws here. Ming is a terrible leader, but he’s good enough to know the LibDems are in trouble, and he’s smart enough to know that he’ll probably still be leader come the next election. That being so he has to think about damage limitation. How can he make the best of a very bad situation? Hmm..
Lets throw Gordon Brown into the mix; the man who wants a government of all the talents. The man who also wants to destroy the Conservative Party. Would you offer the Lib Dems a place in the next government in return for some proposals that put the Conservatives on a back foot? If you were Ming – facing the distinct possibility of going down in history as the man that destroyed the LibDems – would you say no?
Iain has suggested that Ming’s latest offering is just another poorly executed attempt to seize the initiative; and I’ll admit my natural inclination is to agree with that assessment.
But is Ming really that awful? Isn’t there even the slightest possibility that some modicum of reason lies behind this latest ‘idea’?
So over to you… what possible reason, any reason, can there be for what seems to prima facie be yet another disaster for the LibDems? Points will be awarded for creativity!
...and it is better to be in the spotlight than not. Could be an attempt (among other things) to let us know that he is still around - it's not fair that Brown and Cameron get all the attention, is it? :>D.
ReplyDeleteIt is, at least, a more sensible question to ask for a straight "yes" or "no" answer on than the one boy Dave wants to ask (or does he?) about a complex treaty. Especially sensible if the implications of the only realistic alternative option (membership of the European Economic Area) were fully spelt out.
ReplyDeleteThe question could be something like: "do you wish Britain to leave the EU and remain in the EEA subject to all the EU rules but with no say in how those rules are drawn up?"
As Terry Wogan used to say on Blankety Blank "the clue is always in the question"...
Ming knows he has no chane of causing a referendum on the EU and therefore ahs the freedom to say what he wishes.
ReplyDeleteI think that eventually the One Eyed Goblin King will be forced into having a referendum and that the wording will make "would you not like to be outside the lot that don't agree with not having our country not not not become not part of the EU in so far as this partains in any way not to do with the definately not constitution" seem simple.
There is no point rowing back now, just because you think there is a danger a 'coup d'etat' could install someone competent as an opponent for 'Call me Dave' Cameron at the next election...
ReplyDeleteThis is rather a transparent strategy to try and shore up his support and thus deliver all the non-Labour votes to the New Model Conservatives..
The Referendum is to Mr. Campbell what the October Manifesto was to Tsar Nicholas II.
ReplyDeleteIf the latest yougov poll is correct, Labour 39% Tories 34% then Iain Dale's contention that Gordon Brown wants to,'Destroy the Tories' may be truer than he thinks. Gordon going for an October surprise?
ReplyDeleteFor once I agree with Sir Ming. There is no point having a referendum on a complex document which nobody can understand. But I think a referendum on the fundamental question would be no bad thing, on the understanding that if we elected to remain within the EU, then all the euro-sceptic and UKIP bores would have to shut up for the next 25 years.
ReplyDeleteOn which side would the Tories actually be in a referendum on continued EU membership?
ReplyDeleteI carry no candle for Campbell, but, far from being some bumbling old fool, he has introduced that very question, which, if anyone ever attempted to answer it by holding such a referendum, would kill off the Conservative Party completely.
Brown cannot offer any referenda but he can procure statements from the wlling to muddy Cameron's waters. A ref on the EU total is being bandied about variously - I heard it first from a well-known Conservative europile (nice typo - leave it!).
ReplyDeleteMing and Brown are close, and Ming is happy to do Brown's bidding. They are both loyal citizens of the European Union, and are assisting their masters in Brussels to stop David Cameron.
There's not a political thought bteween their ears other than keeping in with the subjugation of Britain.
Those who run the parties are keenest on selling out. ..they thought Cameron would be the same as Blair. They were wrong. The only game in town now is stop Cameron - or at least muddy his waters.
Perhaps Ming's cunning plan is based on the belief that:
ReplyDelete1) a referendum is necessary;
2) a referendum on the constitution would be lost (bad for the EU and thus the LibDims);
Whereas:
3) a referendum on quitting would result in Britain staying in (or so he thinks).
Thus he gets to play the democrat, make Gordo look bad, whilst not risking anything (in his view) if push comes to shove and his in or out referendum happens...
Or maybe he's just a duffer...
You do get carried away at the Young Fogies Foundation.
ReplyDeleteNow explain this-on the world stage there was a youthful, dynamic AND telegenic center-right politician (no not Cameron)
who has had to resign-Shinzo Abe.
His gray haired predecessor seemed to do so much better.
Hi Shane hope you are enjoying covering for Iain ..
ReplyDeletePoor old Ming has lost his sting and is only fit for the highland fling
HH
After Northern Rock, today's papers are reporting that savers in their thousands are now closing their savings accounts with Alliance and Leicester, Bradford and Bingley, HBOS, and Coventry BS.
ReplyDeleteIs my money save in the Nationwide?
Are National Savings safer or the big banks like HSBC?
Any experts out there who can give sound advice?
God knows the truth of the matter but the McCanns are official suspects in the disappearance, possible murder of a child. So what is Gordon Brown doing allowing Clarence Mitchell to go off and be their spin doctor for a while? Doesn't anyone else find this weird?
ReplyDeleteGosh things are reaching a pretty poor pass if Lord 'Bill' Rodgers is giving him a bit of a kicking...
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should start a 'Save Ming' fund ? After all, there are millions of votes in marginal constituencies up for grabs !
Cease fire, everyone, cease fire...
laurence boyce is incorrect. Firstly Brown nor Campbell do not want any referendum on the EU!
ReplyDeleteJust think of all the losers on the same platform saying vote yes! Kenneth Clarke,Heseltine,Brown.Campbell, It will look like Dad's Army"!
Then consider who may appear on the NO platform. and consider many of today's youth/young person icons!
NOT the ukip malcontents.
Even Blair may rediscover his old view! and of course Maggie (Endorsed by Brown dont forget!).
Should there be a YES vote expect trouble from the English Nationalists.This group has been very quiet but is growing in numbers and will become a major problem.
I find it strange that a lot of those who believe that Ming changed his mind on having a referendum on the Reform Treaty because it is too complex for the British voter to grasp. For a start this is patronising and secondly why did Labour and the Lib-Dems support a referendum on the Constitution?
ReplyDelete" is Ming really that awful? "
ReplyDeleteI'd rate him six out of 10 on the Cameron Scale (Michael Howard is 11, Duncan Smith was 20 but is now back to a mere dozen)
Haven't read the other comments, so this might have been already said, but Ming is surely putting forward an idea which he thinks no-one will reject- ie membership of the EU- in order to deflect attention from the referendum he does not want ie one on the recent treaty confirming the 'disguised' constitution.
ReplyDelete