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Too many given the brush off
IN opposition the Lib Dems strove hard to gain the common touch.
Street politics became a bye-word for their activism.
However, if they keep up the present momentum of indifference to the public pulse, they are at risk of squandering the political riches accumulated in recent years.
In the past fortnight they have exhibited an overbearing arrogance that they used to accuse Labour of.
Incredibly, they have committed a cardinal political crime – they have brushed aside the affection the British have for their pets. In this case, dogs (see page 7).
Instead of gently shoe-horning the proposed new regulations governing dogs into the public arena of debate, what did they do?
Make a public announcement in an advert in the press, and then sit back.
Whose idea was that? Town Hall civil servants? Or Lib Dem and Tory councillors’?
It doesn’t really matter who exhibited such hubris. It was not only an astonishing piece of political folly, it was, much more, a kind of two fingers to the public.
Then take a recent campaign by youngsters to improve their lot. How do council officials react? They warn youth workers to snub the youngsters (see page 6).
Again, does it matter whether council officials or Lib Dem councillors are behind this brilliant piece of silly gamemanship?
The fact remains that young people, who feel disenfranchised, have been treated with further contempt by the political powers.
Instead of encouragement they have been given the brush-off.
Or take the harsh economies in the voluntary sector that led to last night’s (Wednesday’s) riots at the Town Hall (See page 2).
By the poor concept of what constitutes public consultation, it could be argued by the political class in Camden, that voluntary organisation, affected by the economic, have been given adequate facilities to express their view point.
But, in the eyes of the public, just as parliament is contemptibly regarded as an empty talking shop, so is the political process at the Town Hall, where councillors simply force through policies, however unpopular at the time.
Passions ran high at the Town Hall last night.
If they feed through into the electoral system they could tip the scales against the Lib Dems.
Meanwhile, assailed by public hostility, even though it is to be found among a vocal minority, the question arises to what degree the Lib Dems can hold firm.
Mutterings can already be detected among some Lib Dem councillors.
Will any break rank?
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