![]() The Lib Dem’s campaign to restore overseas aid to 0.7% of GDP deserves support. The party has, under Sir Ed, produced sensible pro-European policies and consistently argued for proportional representation. There are good reasons to back the Lib Dems. To defeat a common enemy doesn’t need an overt pact between parties when their voters lending support will suffice. There are few fights between Labour and Lib Dems. This will be fought on two distinct battlegrounds in England: one between Labour and Conservatives the other between Lib Dems and Tories. Building up a strong local government base is key to enhancing the Lib Dems’ electoral credibility ahead of the next general election. The Guardian, at this moment, would urge these voters to set aside any lingering resentment at the Lib Dems and cast an anti-Tory tactical ballot.įor Sir Ed, the stakes could not be higher. Sir Ed is now openly wooing Labour voters in Conservative-held commuter belt seats. Since then the Conservatives have cratered. A year before, a Lib Dem triumph in Chesham and Amersham – Conservative since its creation in 1974– had come when the Tories were riding high in the polls. Last summer, pollsters predicted 26 Conservative constituencies in the so-called “blue wall” of southern England could fall to the Lib Dems. What has alarm bells ringing in Tory headquarters is evidence that people are willing to vote tactically for the candidate best placed locally to defeat the Tories. However, the yellow tide’s rise in May’s elections would be troubling confirmation for the Conservative party that voter alienation is driving an electoral realignment. One might be tempted to think that the Conservatives could swat away the Lib Dem challenge, which rests on 14 MPs in the Commons. With no sign of the disaffection in the current government evaporating, Sir Ed Davey’s party is assured of more electoral gains. I n last year’s local elections the Liberal Democrats chalked up one of the party’s best performances since it entered into an alliance with the Tories in 2010.
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