Is Nick Clegg a "Lying Bastard"? I don't think so.

Nick Clegg - Liberal Democrat, is the Deputy Prime Minister of the current UK governing coalition sharing governance with the Conservative party. He has been called a "Lying bastard" or something to that effect, by many who voted for him in the last election on account of his party's reversal on the pre-election promise not to increase university tuition fees. While I understand this sentiment, I think it is a little harsh, and the reason is this.......


The only way the Liberal Democrat party was ever going to be true to its word was by securing a working majority in the House of Commons. But having to play the coalition game was the best outcome the party could hope for in reality - and by heck it worked out for them! 

So the way I see it from this juncture is that Nick Clegg must now play his party's medium term card - to play second fiddle to the Conservative party. While unfortunately finding himself in the short term having to accede to their wishes over university fees, he simply has ONE mission in mind in order to secure a better future for UK democracy, and that is to see to it that the Conservatives keep to their promise in 2011 of holding a referendum on "Alternative Vote" proportional representation (this system would align us with the majority of EU signatory members), and, "Fixed Term Parliament ruling".*
*[the latter preventing a ruling party from holding a general election early to take advantage of short term high poll ratings.]


I will of course be greatly disappointed if this nation of ours votes down this significant change to the parliamentary system - but I am an optimist - I have to be for the sake of my sanity! Once the "1st past the post" (plurality majority) electoral system has been banished for good, the Conservatives in their present guise with their reactionary line-up of MPs, can kiss their proverbial body parts goodbye because the Liberal Democrats and Labour party are natural bed-fellows and would between them secure a majority over the Conservatives. Although some pundits suggest that proportional representation would be a recipe for weaker governance by creating more coalition governments, I dispute this. But even if this were to be the case - so be it, because the alternative has so often allowed parties (Conservative and Labour) in power on the basis of a minority of the popular vote. Labour/Liberal Democrat party coalitions will mean that the Conservatives will be out in the cold for years until they smarten up their act, while in the meantime Labour/LibDem can rescind some of the more controversial belt-tightening ravages of the current government. 


I may be naive - but this voter is going bide his time before being too accusatory towards "Cleggy".