Forum Topic

Jo Swinson To Be New LibDem Leader

Poll result just announced live on LBC. Good to see a woman elected and not another 'Sir'.

Sue Hammond ● 2669d15 Comments

@Sue, Certainly interesting times ahead. Several Tories about to defect to the Lib Dems, so I expect them to grow in support and Labour to go the other way.I read the other day only 4 out of 10 Labour voters want Corbyn to run the country!Surely Corbyn's days are numbered!

Paul Game ● 2669d

*Should have read 4 out of 10 Labour voters don't want him to run the country.

Paul Game ● 2669d

It is all very worrying indeed, but somehow I feel it is a relief that there is a party that will be the opposition.Both Conservatives and Labour fought the last general election based on the referendum result.  Regrettably (or should I say fortunately?), none of them had the courage or conviction to see it through correctly.It is time we had a decent opposition willing to fight its corner for the country and not its party!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2669d

Anyone think Justine may switch to Lib Dems? If so do people think she will get a larger Putney vote as a Tory or a Lib Dem at the next GE? Would be interesting, bearing in mind Putney is a strong Remain seat.

Paul Game ● 2669d

It would be interesting indeed.The problem with her switching to the Lib Dems is that it would leave the Conservative government as a minority government.Would the Brexit Party prop them up?  Who knows.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2669d

A good appointment - a woman and a young woman at that, provides a real point of difference from the usual men in suits.  I suspect, however, this will hurt Labour more than the Conservatives.  The Tories largely draw their support from older voters (just 17% of their voters are under 45) and Brexiteers, so can’t seen many of them being drawn towards the Lib Dems...now all those millennials that were initially drawn to Corbyn, might be another matter

Craig Fordham ● 2669d

@Paul Justine will do what is best for Justine. I have become very cynical about our politicians and the tactical games they are playing to try and hang onto their jobs. Whatever happened to integrity and loyalty and party unison?  All MPs who change party should have to fight a by-election, and yes I could envisage Putney electing a LibDem candidate.

Sue Hammond ● 2668d

If she was acting purely out of self interest she would have stayed in cabinet. I think she has discovered her principles and stuck to them. There is clearly increasing distance between her and much of the party and not just on Brexit.  Her social mobility agenda is classic one nation Tory but they are in a decreasing minority as the diehard ideologues take over. Will she jump ship?  It’s a tough one. She has tried to remain loyal and my bet is that if there is a no confidence vote she would back the government. Longer term it might be different.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2668d

Back to Jo swinson this is the same person who had the rallying cry as a student leader against proposed uni fees. Who stood for election on that basis and then saw an opportunity to be a minister and dropped her 'principles'to join the coalition.So she can be trusted then.!

Andy Pike ● 2668d

I didn't know her history Andy. Just another career politician then? 🙄

Sue Hammond ● 2668d

@JonathanI don't think Justine's time in the Cabinet was particularly successful, or even that satisfying for her. I'm not convinced she would back the Government because she voted against it very recently. With Boris as PM and his determination to Brexit she would easily do so again in my opinion. Perhaps best to resign and defect to the LibDems instead of getting booted out?

Sue Hammond ● 2668d

@Sue. Justine trained and worked as an accountant before moving into politics so she does have experience in the real world of finance and industry, unlike Johnson who's experience is mainly as a journalist; writing about others rather then doing himself.

Michael Ixer ● 2668d

If the likes of Justine leave, the Tory party will be done for in 15 years.  For its own long-term survival it needs to reach out beyond its ageing core voters

Craig Fordham ● 2668d

Michael, I was referring to Swinson, not Justine.

Sue Hammond ● 2668d

@Sue. Oops, lost the plot on these threads! Must admit I didn't but looking at Wikipedia the new LibDem leader studied management at the LSE then worked as a marketing and PR manager before moving to politics.

Michael Ixer ● 2668d