As part of an invite by LDV Editors for comments from people not prone to commenting on their excellent blog posts, I wrote today that:
"The problem I have is that, despite some pretty significant manifesto
wins in Government, the economy doesn’t feel the slightest bit stronger
and society doesn’t feel in any small way fairer than in 2010 (to me).
If I’m saying that as a Party member, how do we convince the public that
a) I’m wrong about where we’re at now and b) we’re capable of
delivering even small progress in that direction through a future
coalition?
I get that things like the Pupil Premium will achieve a huge amount
in the long run, as will moves on removing the stigma around mental
health and improving social care, but I can’t convince myself that the
balance of cuts in the public sector, as against increases in taxation
of the wealthy, since 2010 has been anything but completely unfair. If I
can’t convince myself of that, how do I convince anyone else to vote
for us this year?"
This comment (I have a habit or re-reading my own comments on things for some bizarre reason) got me to thinking about a suitable analogy for the Coalition. Specifically one claim, which has always stuck in my proverbial craw, that we've successfully prevented the potential evils of a Conservative majority.
So I offer up for your delectation:
"When Mike Tyson is punching you in the head, it's difficult to feel grateful that he's been forced to do so wearing a boxing glove on his weaker hand (with the other hand tied behind his back as well), as you are pummeled into the ground by an infinitely stronger opponent."
And that, my friends is my summation of the Coalition - make of it what you will...