Smash and grab: We now need a positive vision to appeal to former Lib Dem supporters

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

It’s been a difficult few days for the Lib Dems, with strong criticism from the left about their complicity in a harmful budget.

That criticism continues this morning, with further cartoons mocking the Lib Dem leadership’s belief that they have influence in the colaition, and a piece by Andrew Rawnsley in the Observer which will feed the party’s nerves:

“There will be a voice in every Lib Dem ear whispering: “We’re being used, we’re being used, and everyone can see it.” It doesn’t even have to be all that true to start hurting. This worm of unease is already niggling in their guts. If it grows, it could gnaw away at the foundations of this coalition until it comes tumbling down.”

Worse, a YouGov / Brand Democracy poll in the Observer shows that 48% of those who voted for the Lib Dems in the general election would now be less willing to do so, as a result of the VAT rise specifically. The Guardian/Osberver themnselves may be regretting the decision to endorse the Lib Dems before the election, much to the disapproval of many of its columnists and journalists.

I remarked yesterday at the Blog Nation event, and Michael Meacher whsipered to me that he agreed, that the doubts are in part because no one really knows whether these Lib Dem “betrayals” are tactical or strategic: are the coalition and budget really an attempt to temper a Tory government, or do they reveal a more fundamental split between the small c conservative leadership and the largely left-liberal membership? And if so, where does that leave the party in the future?

Labour’s attempts to drive a wedge in the middle of the Lib Dem parliamentary party are one way of bringing these issues to the fore – and they seem to be working well. Some Lib Dems are reportedly talking to Labour MPs about how to block certain parts of the budget.

But we now also need our own party and leadership candidates to articulate why these apparently disaffected former Lib Dem voters – and members – should join the Labour Party.

Yesterday, asked by Rowenna Davis whether he would consider joining the Labour Party, Dr Evan Harris said he wouldn’t think about it until Labour showed a greater commitment to improved party democracy. That’s, of course, a necessary thing to do.

But I’d like to see Labour’s attack – as productive as it appears to have been – now turn to five positive visions of the Labour Party this week in policy terms that could attract former Lib Dems. Labour’s smash now needs to be counter-weghted with something to grab disaffected Lib Dems. Further acknowledgement of their principles on civil liberties and taxation, for example, would be a start.