Thursday night was a disappointment for the Liberal Democrats both nationally and locally; however this was probably felt by all the main parties, there being no overall winner in Westminster. A graphic demonstration of how dysfunctional our electoral system is with us gaining votes but losing seats, 23% of the vote getting us a mere 9% of the seats.
Last night was a disappointment for the Liberal Democrats. Even though more people voted for us than ever before, even though we had a higher proportion of the vote than ever before, it is of course a source of great regret to me that we have lost some really valued friends and colleagues and we have returned to Parliament with fewer MPs than before.
In less than 24 hours the polling booths will open. `The politicians will step back, and you can then finally step forward to shape the future of our country in this momentous election.
Voting lies at the heart of democracy, and with it the right to change our leaders and the direction in which we are travelling. But for many, voting has seemed pointless under our system, unless they happen to live in a "marginal" constituency. Not this time, not in 2010. Nick Clegg has changed that. Now, if you believe that the time for reforming politics and reinvigorating society has come, you know you have three choices before you, not just the same old two.
Following the letter from Tory candidate, John Kingsbury in last week's Woking News and Mail here is Lib Dem Group Leader Ian Johnson's reply.
Dear Sirs
I see Cllr Kingsbury and his Conservative colleagues are running scared. Why else would they try to airbrush the facts by attacking Rosie Sharpley's local credentials as the Liberal Democrat candidate? The reality is that, however much spin he puts on it, the only seat Rosie applied for, at this General Election, was Woking. She did not, unlike the Conservative, apply for two other seats before landing here from outside the Borough. Woking was her first choice, which is entirely natural as she has lived in Woking for over 30 years and has a long record of public service as a councillor, Mayor, magistrate and nurse here. Personally I would prefer an MP who lives in Woking and knows the issues- as she does- over one who lives elsewhere.
Which kind of economy would you prefer the UK to have?
Germany
Largest economy in Europe
Already out of recession
Hung Parliament since 1949
Greece
Bankrupt
Draconian cuts causing civil unrest
Electoral system designed to prevent hung parliaments
Of course it isn't that simple, but the scare stories against hung parliament being pushed out in the media and by some political parties beggar belief. The truth is there is no evidence that countries with hung parliaments have worse economies than ones with single party majorities, and plenty of evidence that they in fact perform better.
Labour Cabinet ministers have urged Labour voters to vote Lib Dem, according to the BBC,
"The Labour-supporting Mirror newspaper has devoted its front page to a tactical voting guide aimed at "stopping" a Conservative win. Cabinet minister Tessa Jowell told the BBC that was a "good thing" but added: "Ultimately, the point is, people make up their own minds."
"This is my personal guarantee that I will use all the support you give me on Thursday to deliver fairness in Britain.
"We need a fairer tax system. I will use your votes to cut taxes for those at the bottom and in the middle and close the loopholes for those at the top.
"We need to support our children. I will use your votes to ensure extra funding for schools, to cut class sizes and give all children a fair chance.
Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg will be campaigning in Liverpool and Glasgow today, focusing on Liberal Democrat policies to create a fairer country by investing an extra £2.5bn in our schools.
He will contrast the Liberal Democrats' positive agenda with Labour's schools system, which has left many children behind, and expose Conservative plans to cut nearly £29bn from the education budget.
Jonathan Lord tried to get the nomination for Royton, Lancs and Maidstone Kent in 2008 before finally settling for Woking in 2009.
Rosie Sharpley only tried for, and succeeded in getting the nomination for candidate in Woking in 2006.
Jonathan has been a councillor in Westminster and is currently (since 2009) the Surrey County Councillor for Cranleigh and Ewhurst. (Incidentally miles from his home)
