Thursday, January 12, 2006
Nominations going well
Nominations are going well particularly as MPs are able and willing to sign more than one nomination paper.
I have personally signed the paper for Mark Oaten, not because I support his campaign, but because I support his right to stand. I have offered to sign that of Simon Hughes and Chris Huhne as well. There are at least four MPs who will sign more than one paper if requested to give the members a choice.
I, however, need to ask members whether it is right for me to continue to progress my candidature. I stood with the objective of forcing a contest and not having a "coronation".
It was important for members to have a choice. It looks like there will be four candidates now which is far better than having no election.
Although I could get myself nominated I will continue consulting members and supporters and make a decision when I get the results of a formal consultation exercise of party members. posted by John Hemming ¶ 12:16 pm
I have personally signed the paper for Mark Oaten, not because I support his campaign, but because I support his right to stand. I have offered to sign that of Simon Hughes and Chris Huhne as well. There are at least four MPs who will sign more than one paper if requested to give the members a choice.
I, however, need to ask members whether it is right for me to continue to progress my candidature. I stood with the objective of forcing a contest and not having a "coronation".
It was important for members to have a choice. It looks like there will be four candidates now which is far better than having no election.
Although I could get myself nominated I will continue consulting members and supporters and make a decision when I get the results of a formal consultation exercise of party members. posted by John Hemming ¶ 12:16 pm
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If politics is a greasy pole, as Charles Kennedy has sadly discovered, then his obvious successor, Simon Hughes, now needs to seize that pole with a very firm grip.
Hughes is respected in all quarters as decent, compassionate, urbane, witty, intelligent, principled and also vastly experienced.
More to the point, for the future of the Lib Dems, he is hugely popular with the public.
For all his personal qualities, that easy affection which people from all walks of life offer him is the most significant reason why he is the right man to lead them into a share of Government later this year.
After half a generation of a "New Labour" experiment that has ended up looking as clueless and lacklustre as the dying and dreary Conservative administration it replaced, Britain is long overdue the freshness and vitality that has always characterised the bulk of the Liberal Democrat policy canon.
That's why the Lib Dem membership owe it to the country to choose the man whose electability offers them the best chance of a serious role in Government that has beckoned many times but hitherto remained tantalisingly just out of reach.
In short: cometh the hour, cometh Mr Hughes.
Hughes is respected in all quarters as decent, compassionate, urbane, witty, intelligent, principled and also vastly experienced.
More to the point, for the future of the Lib Dems, he is hugely popular with the public.
For all his personal qualities, that easy affection which people from all walks of life offer him is the most significant reason why he is the right man to lead them into a share of Government later this year.
After half a generation of a "New Labour" experiment that has ended up looking as clueless and lacklustre as the dying and dreary Conservative administration it replaced, Britain is long overdue the freshness and vitality that has always characterised the bulk of the Liberal Democrat policy canon.
That's why the Lib Dem membership owe it to the country to choose the man whose electability offers them the best chance of a serious role in Government that has beckoned many times but hitherto remained tantalisingly just out of reach.
In short: cometh the hour, cometh Mr Hughes.
Strangley yolly has posted the exact same post on my Blog as well.
As you your candidature John as I said early on I would consider backing you if no other candidate came forward As I did not think there should be a coronation. The 4 other names in the hat would get my preference before my vote would transfer to you.
As you your candidature John as I said early on I would consider backing you if no other candidate came forward As I did not think there should be a coronation. The 4 other names in the hat would get my preference before my vote would transfer to you.
John, you must stand: someone with our point of view must stand; furthermore, with AV, it's not as if you're nicking votes from anyone even if you do lose. Go for it!
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