| Topic: | Breaking Coalition Agreement promises too... | |
| Posted by: | Malcolm Peltu | |
| Date/Time: | 26/11/10 16:12:00 |
| I agree with many of the comments about the different nature of coalition politics, which are the norm in most of the rest of Europe so there are clearer guidleines and more realistic expectations there. I generally support some form of proportional representation (while acknowledging that these too have drawbacks), so I some compromises and toning down of policies are often likely to be necessary. However, I think the Lib Dems pledge on student fees is in a special category because this wasn't just a manifesto commitment among many, but personally signed pledges designed to attract student voters - which it did succesfully. It is going back on a personal pledge, which completely undermines the broader notion of the Lib Dems bringing about cleaner and more honest 'new politics'. I think it as dmaging long term to trust in politics as the way the Blair government broken the high hopes among many that it would create a more open, honest and less nasty political culture. From the harrowed look of Clegg recently, I think he realises it. And if the coalition government is arguing that the Coalition Agreement trumps other pledges, what about this one: 'We will stop the top-down reorganisations of the NHS that have got in the way of patient care.' How does this fit with the current plans for dramatic reorganisation of the NHS that have formulated top-down without consultation with the grassroots, particularly the GPs who are being asked to take on vast new responsibilities, many of whom are now fearful of how this will affect their ability to do the job they are meant to do - look after the health of patients. |