Is reform negotiable?

The protestors who gathered outside where the Lib Dems hierarchy were discussing their next moves were unequivocal in their view that electoral reform is non-negotiable. What remains to be seen is whether Nick Clegg is equally clear in spelling out the “core priorities” and if a referendum is one of them.

The situation in Wales is becoming cloudier with each successive statement. The previously irrelevant Lord Carlisle is now looking at a new job the bigger picture while Peter Black rejects the idea of an anti-tory coalition on the grounds of ‘stability’ and in an earlier blog comment stated that he no longer viewed the dividing line in British politics today as left-right but as liberal-centralist.

No word yet from Kirsty - who has been silent since 6^th May - although something similarly coded can be expected.

Of course, her problems are not just the emerging internal recriminations about how badly the party fared in Wales under her leadership but the added consideration of what further damage could be done to them in next year’s Assembly elections with opponents shouting “Vote Lib Dem, Get Tory” at every opportunity.

Whatever other cabinet or constitutional enticements might be on the table, Clegg has the task of making a judgement call on whether it is better to align with those who are most capable of delivering electoral reform or those who are most committed to doing it. For the people who stood in Smith Square yesterday, it was a lot more simple, i.e. change should mean change.

Update: The latest blog from Peter Black bears all the tell-tale signs of a sell-out in the making. Apparently there are more important things than electoral reform. Hmmm. Wonder how many Lib Dem voters felt the same way when putting their cross on ballot papers?