alternatehistory.com
Part Seven: Lamb
Norman Lamb, at the time of writing, is still Leader of the Liberal Democrats. The ship may have become rudderless, but the new helmsman has a plan to make sure it won't hit the rocks. A former SDP man and a longtime Frontbench Spokesperson under Kennedy, Laws, Featherstone, and Moore, he is something of an unknown factor. Previously, it was believed that Lamb was in the Beveridge-Keynes clique, having held the banner for the parties left in the 2012 and 2016 Leadership Elections. However, in recent months he has come out in favour of a 'medium ground' between the Yellow Bible and Orange Book, keen to define himself and his leadership as that of a unifier.
With 24 seats (9 of which will be gone by 2019), there is some hope in the former solicitor. Whilst not young- pushing 60 and a few years older than his Conservative and Labour counterparts John Bercow and Jon Cruddas, respectively- he is none the less focused, and since taking the mantel of Leadership has initiated a string of internal reforms, such as an overhaul of how Party resources are managed, opening up the membership, and organising a reach-out programs in communities hardest hit by austerity. Whilst some policies have received mockery- such a call for the legalisation of cannabis- others have struck a cord, such as comprehensive reform in the mental health services, a particular passion of Lamb's, and greater autonomy for councils and regions, going so far as to push for further Referendums on regional devolution. He has been attacked on Foreign Policy, with many finding him too dovish, and for his views on welfare and immigration he has been branded as 'illiberal' in some quarters. But it is undeniable that Lamb embodies a new form of Liberalism in Britain, one with the trappings of Civic Nationalism, and there are many who find appeal in it, although there are many more who may be turned off by it.
Time will only tell if his new approach can work. Lamb is looking forward, towards and through the murky clouds, and steering his Party onwards towards the growing amber light on the horizon.
Onwards and outwards, and into the future.
With 24 seats (9 of which will be gone by 2019), there is some hope in the former solicitor. Whilst not young- pushing 60 and a few years older than his Conservative and Labour counterparts John Bercow and Jon Cruddas, respectively- he is none the less focused, and since taking the mantel of Leadership has initiated a string of internal reforms, such as an overhaul of how Party resources are managed, opening up the membership, and organising a reach-out programs in communities hardest hit by austerity. Whilst some policies have received mockery- such a call for the legalisation of cannabis- others have struck a cord, such as comprehensive reform in the mental health services, a particular passion of Lamb's, and greater autonomy for councils and regions, going so far as to push for further Referendums on regional devolution. He has been attacked on Foreign Policy, with many finding him too dovish, and for his views on welfare and immigration he has been branded as 'illiberal' in some quarters. But it is undeniable that Lamb embodies a new form of Liberalism in Britain, one with the trappings of Civic Nationalism, and there are many who find appeal in it, although there are many more who may be turned off by it.
Time will only tell if his new approach can work. Lamb is looking forward, towards and through the murky clouds, and steering his Party onwards towards the growing amber light on the horizon.
Onwards and outwards, and into the future.
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THE END
THE END
- shiftygiant
- Word Count: 370