Those noble, powerless Lib Dems…

The three main intertwining idielogical strands that form the basis of the Liberal Democrats are liberalism, social democracy and a dislike of all power.

It is often thought that the third in that list would be paradoxical for a political party which aims to legislate their beliefs with a democratic mandate, but such is the Lib Dems commitment to it that they have managed to successfully manouevre themselves into a position within the British Government where they wield literally no power. They are the Schrödinger’s cat of the British political system: theoretically, they are at once both in a position to make decisions and to make none. For those interested in further scientific research into this complex theory, see ‘What Simon Hughes says’ and ‘How Simon Hughes votes’. It makes for fascinating reading.

Those who have chided Clegg and co. for their wanton attitude to found Liberal Democrat principles since joining the Conservatives in coalition should take note: at no point in the past two years has any Lib Dem said anything to make them more electorally successful than they did before the 2010 election. Faced with being able to do things that could potentially change people’s lives they have not blinked, remained admirably steadfast in their beliefs and done absolutely nothing. It takes great courage to do nothing when you have the ability to do something that is popular and right. They have let things happen that go against what they believe because to stop it happening would compromise other beliefs (this, by the way, is also part of ‘liberalism’). For this, if nothing else, they should be applauded. But even here the nobility of the Lib Dems would get in the way; for they would not accept the applause, in case the popularity led to electoral success.

This ideological fervour has been expressed again today with members showing opposition to the NHS reform bill in a motion at the party’s spring conference. Some commentators have assessed this as being down to actual opposition to the bill, reflecting how grassroots Lib Dem members are in touch with the feelings of the general public, but this is not the case. The defeat of the ‘Shirley Williams motion’ is an attempt to leave the Liberal Democrats with no position on a Government bill, in accordance with their beliefs.

Congratulations should be offered to them, for sticking so rigidly to their roots. As long as they balance this line between power and powerlessness, no one will take notice.

For the greatest fear of a Liberal Democrat is that one day the public will look at them, and the public will realise that the cat was dead all along.