The masters of dirty tactics
There are decent people and, sadly, scoundrels in all political parties.
Andrew Gilligan has argued in the Daily Telegraph, the Lib/Dems simply cannot be allowed to claim that they represent a "new politics" above dirty tactics: all too many in that party are masters at it.
As he writes,
"On the ground, their campaigning is consistently more unscrupulous and poisonous than the other parties’.
"And you don’t have to take my word for it – a lot of their election literature is now captured for posterity online."
He then lists some of the smears organised by the national Lib/Dem machine during parliamentary by-elections, and concludes,
"Nobody is saying, by the way, that the other two parties don’t sometimes stoop to the same level – remember the “toff” attacks by Labour in the Crewe and Nantwich byelection? – but they do it less often. And only the Lib Dems present themselves as uniquely clean and virtuous.
The truth, in fact, is that they are – at best – a party like any other, and you’d be deceived to think otherwise."
You can read his full article here.
Andrew Gilligan has argued in the Daily Telegraph, the Lib/Dems simply cannot be allowed to claim that they represent a "new politics" above dirty tactics: all too many in that party are masters at it.
As he writes,
"On the ground, their campaigning is consistently more unscrupulous and poisonous than the other parties’.
"And you don’t have to take my word for it – a lot of their election literature is now captured for posterity online."
He then lists some of the smears organised by the national Lib/Dem machine during parliamentary by-elections, and concludes,
"Nobody is saying, by the way, that the other two parties don’t sometimes stoop to the same level – remember the “toff” attacks by Labour in the Crewe and Nantwich byelection? – but they do it less often. And only the Lib Dems present themselves as uniquely clean and virtuous.
The truth, in fact, is that they are – at best – a party like any other, and you’d be deceived to think otherwise."
You can read his full article here.
Comments
Andrew Gilligan's article with evidential examples shows that Lib Dems are not exempt from dirty tactics and it is demonstrable hypocrisy when they present themselves as holier than thou. Having said that not all Lib Dems conduct themselves in this appalling manner. Frank Hollowell the Copeland candidate has conducted himself in a gentlemanly manner and has only attacked opponents policies. However, the electorate are not just electing an MP, they are choosing a Government. When choosing a Government for the country it is essential that it is composed of men and women of integrity who have the policies and caliber to provide the leadership the country requires.
In this election campaign the Conservatives can pride themselves in conducting a clean fair campaign that focuses on policies and avoids personal attacks on opponents. Justifiable anger has been shown when opponents have lied about our policies, but the criticism has been directed at the behaviour, in order to ensure that the public do not get a distorted impression of Conservative policy. The scaremongering tactics of Labour with regard to cold weather payments for older people and the breast cancer leaflets were nothing short of abominable. I also expect that they achieved the opposite of what Labour intended. Women with breast cancer do not want to be used as political weapons.
Election campaigns should focus on debate on the issues, showing respect for the intellect of the electorate, who hold the mandate to Govern.