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Off the reservation | 87 comments (87 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
PS Heidi vs. Chuka (none / 0)
I would have expected Chuka to be the new leader if only because the group has 8 Labour exiles to 3 from the Tories, and failing that, Anna Soubry as the most prominent of the Tories. So what do you make of Heidi's elevation and will that facilitate greater cooperation with the Lib Dems - who have yet to elect a new leader and may not have any good candidates?

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by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Apr 8th, 2019 at 03:50:53 PM EST
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Re: PS Heidi vs. Chuka (4.00 / 2)
I think the LibDems are dying on their feet, they're down to 8 MPs and have no leader. And probably no purpose. Their behaviour during the ConDem pact where they enabled to entire Tory austerity campaign has revealed them as merely moderate conservatives willing to trample over every last stated principle for the illusion of power.

There was once a time when they split the anti-tory vote, providing a bolthole for Labour supporters upset over perceived slights. But no more, they're seen as tories, they governed as tories and nobody to the left of them will ever trust them again.

As I say, with the Tory split more likely, the schism being pro business pro-customs union versus anti europe swash-bucking free trade brexiteers, I'd say that Heidi allen's role was to be a more welcoming face for the fleeing Tories than the ex-Labour Umunna.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Apr 8th, 2019 at 04:36:47 PM EST
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Re: PS Heidi vs. Chuka (none / 1)
According to Wiki the Lib Dems have 11 MPs and their Membership numbers are near an all-time high. Obviously Vince Cable is past his sell by date and I'm not sure they have any good alternatives to replace him with - hence my wondering whether Heidi Allen is a potential "unification candidate" especially if more Tories come across.  In polls including the Independent Group they are polling roughly level with the Independent group (6-10%) and slightly ahead of UKIP.

All of this tells us nothing about likely turnout in an EP election which will highlight the Tory's failure to "deliver Brexit" or negotiate a "good deal". However they seem to be similar pro-business, pro-EU, Tory lite parties with not a lot of potential policy rifts to separate them.  Personality differences are another matter, of course... and they do need a good media performer as a leader.

Index of Frank's Diaries

by Frank Schnittger (mail Frankschnittger at hot male dotty communists) on Mon Apr 8th, 2019 at 05:07:48 PM EST
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Re: PS Heidi vs. Chuka (none / 1)
The LibDems had Clegg, a crypto-Tory, at the wheel at the crucial moment.  I figured at the time that, when they sealed the ConDem deal, they had signed their own death warrant.
by rifek on Tue Apr 9th, 2019 at 02:50:38 PM EST
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Re: PS Heidi vs. Chuka (4.00 / 2)
Is "Change UK" - CHUK - not a clue about who's really in charge?

Heidi's elevation is just window dressing.

by ThatBritGuy (thatbritguy (at) googlemail.com) on Tue Apr 9th, 2019 at 04:05:07 PM EST
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Off the reservation | 87 comments (87 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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