Should you vote Liberal?

Until the parties publish their manifestos, we should rely on statements of principles.

The Liberal Democrat approach is taken from the Agenda 2020 Working Group’s publications and was principally authored by Duncan Brack.

"Liberal Democrats stand for liberty, the freedom of every individual to make their own decisions about how best to live their lives. We trust people to pursue their dreams, to make the most of their talents and to live their lives as they wish, free from a controlling, intrusive state and a stifling conformity; a free and open society that glories in diversity is a stronger society. We stand for equality, for the right of everyone to be treated equally and with equal respect, whatever their personal characteristics; and in the duty of the state to create the conditions in which individuals and their communities can flourish. We stand for community, for dispersing political and economic power as widely as possible, for government works best when it is closest to its citizens. Since we believe in the worth of every individual, we are internationalists from principle, seeking cooperation, not confrontation, with our neighbours. And since we believe that future generations have the same rights as we do to live their lives in the ways they choose, we aim to create an environmentally sustainable economy and society, where people live in harmony with the natural world. Holding these beliefs, Liberal Democrats are instinctively on the side of the individual against concentrations of power, free thinking, unimpressed by authority and unafraid to challenge the status quo."

Sounds incredibly like the Green Party Core Values, Varian.

policy.greenparty.org.uk/core-values.html

My view for whatit's worth. I'd vote LD simply because they absolutely oppose Brexit which in my view is a total disaster. The only reason for not doing so is that it might split the ante Tory vote. I know that LD are unlikely to win where I live and that Labour will probably win again.

If Labour can form a Governement, again unlikely, there is a chance that the next election may be PR based. FPTP favours the Tories too much. Besides I don't believe much of what TM says.

I would vote LD too Cindersdad but will have to vote Labour in order to do my best (but probably not good enough) to keep the Tories out of my constituency. If I moved a couple of miles down the road I could vote LD and know it might really make a difference but that is not how it should be. I have a feeling I would much more happily vote Labour this time if they were offering PR - it would be better for them now so why not.

I have realised T May is just a highly paid administrator, she is not a leader, To be honest, she has not always (ever?) hit her targets as a good administrator would so not that good in that position. She is good at keeping her head down though. As a politician there is just nothing there. I have said it before but it was made for the woman; fine words butter no parsnips.

I suggest you ask your Labour candidate whether he or she supports PR before you vote.

I can't encourage the Tories varian and I can't move quickly enough to get a LD vote that would count.

It all feels very negative which I think is what some of the politicians want.

From the LD FaceBook page:

Nick Clegg announced today that the Liberal Democrat manifesto will include a commitment to a referendum on the final Brexit deal. That referendum will offer two choices; accept the deal or remain in the EU. Liberal Democrats will campaign for a Remain vote.

General Election 2017: Nick Clegg sets out Lib Dem EU Remain bid

sable.madmimi.com/c/50737?id=720888.2759.1.ef369f0ed862f81dbeecdeceadb4e06b

Make votes matter.

The party’s membership has now hit a record all-time high, topping 101,768.

Have you seen the video of Tim Farron and Malcolm. Brilliant - real people and real politics.

He sounds like a very caring careworker, Gracesgran. I can't beleiev he voted Labour all his life, and he had no idea that Libdems wanted to stay in, as he was blaming Farron for the cost of coming out.
By the time the election comes, he might be even more confused and not vote for anyone!

This man's anger has been generated by a section of the media. He does not come across as well informed or balanced. I wonder which newspaper he reads?

Well done Tim for keeping your cool with him and not avoiding him, unlike TM who is only ever seen with her fawning acolytes. I know which one comes across as a strong party leader, and it's not TM.

For many of us there will be an opportunity to cast a vote tomorrow - in local elections or metro mayor elections.

I hope that as many as possible who have had enough of this arrogant and incompetent duopoly will not vote for Tory or Labour candidates but support the Liberal Democrats.

LibDems have pledged a 1p tax rise to raise £6bn for the NHS and social care. Good! It's about time somebody was honest and faced up to what's needed and placed the burden on income tax rather than NICs, which only affects working age people.

I agree Daphne - I would even be happy with a hypothecated tax - but noticeably the Tories have come out and said that this is just what they have been saying - vote for anyone other than the Cons and you will be paying higher taxes.

The obvious corollary to that is the Tories are promising no raising of taxes at all - which means CUTS if they are to achieve their professed aims. That's our PENSIONS folks and many other benefits including any CARE we and our loved ones may need.

This statement is why I have been a member of the Lib Dems and voted Lib Dem since I first got the vote.

At various times I have considered changing my political allegiance and even voting for another party, when it could help get rid of a worse government.But in the end I always come back to the core principles underlying Liberalism.

Its freedom from dogma and the openness to all possible solutions to a problem that this gives and its commitment to being open to those living beyond our borders.

I am not a 'my party, right or wrong' zealot. I have, at times, disagreed profoundly with some aspects of Liberal policy and I believe they made some serious mistakes when in coalition with the Conservatives.

When voting it has often been a case of: 'if you know a better hole go there' and on examining them the other holes are always worse.

Whoops, lots of posts since I started to write the above when the statement of The Liberal Democrat approach was posted by Varian, that is what my opener 'This statement' refers to

Just a point of fact M0nica. I know we have some very young Grans but wouldn't you have been voting Liberal at the beginning of your voting history. Not meaning to be contentious - just interested.

Good statement M0nica.

I could not vote Lib Dem in the local elections as sadly there wasn't one standing. I wonder how many seats they will be able to stand in for the GE.

Daphne, Andy Burnham will be in charge of Manchester's health and social care budget of £6 billion.
Are you sure you got that figure right?

"The north-east, centred around Tyne and Wear, refused the mayoral offer. So no deal. In Whitehall jargon, the deals are “bespoke” – in short, varying in significant details – with Greater Manchester getting responsibility for a £6bn budget to integrate health and social care. Interestingly, Andy Burnham, the former Labour minister and favourite to become the Greater Manchester mayor, opposed the package when shadow health minister on the logical grounds that it might both presage the end of a truly national NHS while, handily, making the new authority shoulder the blame for future (government-imposed) cutbacks. And there’s the rub."

The Guardian - with a bit of Hamlet at the end.

I thought that those who turned mayors down were turning down a different sort of mayor and the Metro Mayors (do not listen to the news quiz as all I think of with Metro Mayors now is Mayors who moisturise ) are coming in for those areas next year - but I really don't know.

I think this is a good position for Andy Burnham.

The metro mayor in the north east is one who goes round and round in circles on a train.

Lots of cities have mayors. The metro mayor in the North East would have taken in all of Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, and Northumberland as well as North and South Tyneside.
There already is a North East combined Authority.

"We’ve had a breakthrough! Labour are now talking about supporting Proportional Representation in their election manifesto. If they did, it would mean every major party except the Conservatives are committed to fair votes."

From www.makevotesmatter.org.uk

I'm absolutely sure I quoted the figure correctly. The LD proposed tax rise has nothing to do with Manchester. Why should it?