I'm not a party official. I don't represent the LibDems. I can't speak on their behalf about their policies. I have no axe to grind.
But, having considered what all the parties have said this year and over the past few years, my firm view is that the Liberal Democrat Party is the only one of the three main parties that...
- Understands the urgency of tackling climate change.
- Consistently and honourably put the case against the Iraq War.
- Is fighting to get a more representative range of the country's views heard in Parliament, is campaigning for less centralised democracy, opposed the dreadful #debill, and is championing the role of independent scientific advisers.
- Opposed the corrupt MPs expenses system long before the scandal broke.
- Warned of the bank crisis before it happened.
- Always carefully weighs the evidence for draconian laws against the civil liberties lost.
It turns out that quite a few people agree that the LibDems are the best choice at this election.
I have been a lonely wonderer. Perhaps I am not quite so lonely now.
P.S. A note to the undecided voter
If you have not decided how you're voting, I urge you to read the party manifestos and make your own mind up. You might think it doesn't matter if you vote or not. It's just one vote. Perhaps your seat has been in the hands of the same party for generations. Perhaps you don't like any of the parties.
But even though it is a single vote, and you might disagree with my conclusions above, it is better to let your voice be heard than let a small number of zealots decide how our country is run.
Parties will tell you "X can't win here", "It's a battle between A & B. C has no chance", "You have to vote D to keep out E". Maybe. Sometimes a tactical vote is necessary, depending on the seat. But everything is different in 2010. The polls have never been like this. No-one really knows what is going to happen, however confident they may seem to be. And if enough people vote, the will of the people can be heard. So every vote ultimately matters.
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