Lib Dem Watch 0 : Me 10
After weeks of trying Lib Dem watch have failed totally to demonstrate one example of the Birmingham Liberal Democrats being opportunistic.
Yes, the judge in a recent libel case did say we could not be sued because we did not exist in a legal sense (having no legal personage). However, I contend that although the party is a campaigning party it campaigns on the basis of principles rather than merely being opportunist.
Dictionary.com defines an opportunist as:
One who takes advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end, often with no regard for principles or consequences
In particular it implies someone who changes viewpoint with the wind. I accept that Lib Dem watch have allowed an edited right of reply for some of their allegations. However, they did encourage me to have another go at blogger which is now far more reliable than it used to be ... hence this blog.
Dealing directly with their points.
The party does campaign on the basis that the war in Iraq was wrong. "All politics is local" - Tip O Neill. However, in working with the Conservatives on Birmingham City Council we are not saying that we support a second runway at BHX, nor are we saying that our views on the ward in Iraq have changed. Simple really.
Nicola Davies does work for the Mobile Phone industry. Labour seem to make that something to be ashamed of. Unless one believes in banning mobile phones (which we do not) then it is reasonable to have a Mobile Phone industry and for candidates to be people who work for that industry.
Since 1990 I have not taken funds from the city council for any purposes other than expenses (mainly the rent on 1772 Coventry Road) and donations to charity.
Ron Whitehouse was upset that we would not have him as candidate for Directly Elected Mayor. He, therefore, left the party. He was also upset that we supported Amir Khan (an ex-Labour Councillor) as candidate for Sparkbrook (a ward in which we now have two councillors) because Amir Khan was also a PJP candidate. Cllr Dilawar Khan was also a PJP candidate previously. The PJP consisted of a wide range of people some good, some not so good. Some of the good people have joined us.
The current administration is spending something over £1,000 less per week on catering than the previous Labour administration.
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