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For as long as they can remember, the Liberal Democrats have canvassed undecided voters in the face of the frequently quoted "Voting for the Lib Dems is a wasted vote - they're never going to be in government”.
The Lib Dems don't enjoy the support of any of the national papers, so their message is never heard by the masses in the same way as the Tories or Labour. In 2001, a nationwide survey conducted by MORI showed how electors would vote if they thought their preferred candidate could actually win. Despite the result clearly falling in favour of the Liberal Democrats (see illustration), little has changed in their fortunes until recent days.
How quickly things can change in politics. Following the first “Leader’s Debate” on ITV, the Lib Dems were given a rare, level playing field with the two main parties. Opinion polls following the broadcast showed Nick Clegg’s Lib Dems receiving unprecedented support, possibly vying for a say in the new Government.
The realisation that a vote for the Liberal Democrats might actually bring about real change in our political governance - particularly in the wake of the expenses scandal - caused a seismic shift in support. Voters fed up with negative campaigning were clearly attracted by the Lib Dems’ refreshingly clear, costed policies and positive campaigning style.
The inescapable irony of the Tory’s “Vote for Change” slogan is obvious to all but them. They still choose to pursue their negative campaigns, misrepresenting other party’s policies, and clearly missing the message from the electorate that what is demanded is clean, honest politics. They are in danger of losing their early lead as “odds on” favourites to form the next government.
Labour support collapsed a while ago here in East Surrey. Taken for granted for so long by the Tories, local voters could well be considering a vote for the Lib Dems to no longer be a wasted vote. |
