“We’re making tough decisions”
I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I felt it was time to write something after hearing the news of our ministers and spokespeople talking about and trying to defend our poor election results.
I know that once you’ve accepted the (correct, in my view) position that there needs to be significant spending cuts and tax rises you have to decide how to allocate the remaining resources, and that there are hundreds of incredibly deserving government projects (not always in delivery, but often in principle) which are facing major reductions if not closure altogether. Prioritising the remaining funding would cause anxiety to any decent person – as our Lib Dem ministers are. We’re having to say no to projects we’d like to say yes to.
But that’s not the point. The point is that leaving our response to challenges about “why are you cutting X” cannot be left at “it was a tough decision to make”, which is what I’ve seen far too often. It doesn’t help anyone negatively affected by service closures or losing their job. It doesn’t make them more likely to support what the Liberal Democrats are delivering in government.
It would be too easy to blame the media for encouraging an atmosphere of soundbite politics, but if we have to have soundbites, let’s have a good one based on what we’re doing, not on how hard it is being in government – we aren’t after the pity vote after all.
Perhaps we could base our narrative on this:
We’re cutting project X because the country’s deficit is comparable to Greece’s. Because we’re cutting X, which Greece’s politicians didn’t do, we aren’t being bailed out by Germany and the IMF, If we didn’t cut it now we’d have to cut twice as much in the future as the national debt grows, interest rates on government borrowing rises compounding the problem.
The Lib Dems’ priorities in government are taking low earners out of tax, putting more money into primary education with the pupil premium, rebalancing our economy to limit the damage reckless bankers can do, and cleaning up politics after the expenses scandal.
These weren’t Labour’s priorities during their 13 years in power, and they aren’t the Tories’ priorities now. It’s only because almost 7 million people voted Lib Dem in 2010 and we entered government that we’re finally able to deliver these policies.
I’m not criticising the leadership for being imperfect. I’m not criticising overall what the Lib Dems are delivering in government. Our message needs to change – we don’t deserve an easy ride so why are we expecting or pleading for one? Sharpen up, make it relevant and we’ll pick up next year.
