I remain a liberal. As I have explained often with regard to my views on specific political questions, my political thought sits in a tradition handed down from Hazlitt, Bright, John Stuart Mill and Gladstone. That will always be the case. I joined the Liberal Party in 1973.
There is much to be said for consistency and for loyalty. But I really cannot with conscience look at the reforms to introduce private profit into the NHS and the state education sector, and remain a card carrying member of a governing party. These are not small points. So I have left.
I shall not back any political party in England. I have always supported Scottish independence, and I have now taken out a formal SNP membership. There is no perfection in practical politics and should be no idols. But Alex Salmond and his people are doing a decent job in an imperfect world. For reasons I gave recently, breaking up the British state and its resurgent neo-imperialism and neo-conservatism is a political priority.
http://www.private-eye.co.uk/covers.php?showme=1265 July 2010. Enough said. Worse still over a year later.
..and it must be an immense relief that you no longer have to defend characters like this:
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http://tinyurl.com/eedjit
Ging-ers like Danny Alexander have no place in a civilised society.
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http://www.forwardslashnews.com/index.php/2011/09/danny-alexander-in-jobs-for-gingers-drive/
Good for you Craig. I recall when you stood in Blackburn you supported Independence, so no inconsistency there. It is important to stress that the Liberals stoipped being Liberal a long time ago, and in their present incarnation [in Scotland at least] they really are Tories on finacial and constitutional matters, retaining liberal attitudes only re private relationships. Scotland is trapped in an Imperial state sans Empire, and cannot move forward until the Union is ditched
Craig
Great News, I always thought and hoped this is what you would do. If you stand I will come and support you.
Scotland needs all the strong voices.
For anyone interested in politics in Scotland, and not from the unionist mainstream Scottish media check out.
http://www.newsnetscotland.com/
Great news for Scotland Craig, and welcome aboard. Im sure the SNP will put your foreign affairs experience to good use. I look forward to your input with eager anticipation.
“For reasons I gave recently, breaking up the British state and its resurgent neo-imperialism and neo-conservatism is a political priority.”
Welcome home.
This must be a spoof website or something. Liberal Democrats clearly don’t have principals so trying to convince me a liberal has left the party due to theirs is a bit hard to believe.