Yesterday evening I read that the actor Colin Firth has withdrawn his support for the Liberal Democrats.
I’m conscious of the power of celebrity to lead opinions so, though I doubt there will any practical loss to the party, I do regard the departure of a famous name as another bruise to add to the many injuries caused by its u-turn on tuition fees. Indeed, the news brought front page headlines this morning.
The Lib Dems have come in for a very hard time of it as they have worked alongside the Conservatives in a coalition government. Interestingly, while Mr Firth feels compelled to part company with the Lib Dems, he reportedly backs its decision to enter into a coalition.
Putting the singular issue of tuition fees to one side, the formation of the coalition was – and is – the right thing to do for this country
Putting the singular issue of tuition fees to one side, I agree with him that the formation of the coalition was – and is – the right thing to do for this country.
It certainly wasn’t the easy thing to do. In the UK a coalition is a very unusual state of political affairs; the last time one was formed is 60 years ago during a time of war. Those circumstances made consensus in government far more important than disagreement, few would argue against normal politics taking a back seat while the country fought for its liberty.
The circumstances of today cannot really be compared. We may live in troubled times, but our very existence is not being threatened.
Nevertheless, I think that the need to address our current economic woes has been significant enough to warrant an unusually pragmatic response.
Given the stated differences in policy between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, many doubted the coalition would last out this year. Well, with the year close drawing to an end, it’s safe enough to say that it has lasted and I credit the Lib Dems with this achievement.
Sir Humphrey would call their move a “brave” decision – and that’s probably a correct assessment – but the alternative was months of political vacuum at a time of critical choices and that was the very last thing our economy needed.
While matters of spending cuts, tax rises, public service pressures and job losses have defined the coalition’s time in power, any government would have faced the very same issues. There is, quite rightly, a debate over the details of how we resolve our problems and restore our economy, but I don’t know anyone who seriously believes we should ignore the deficit and carry on as before.
The Conservatives have come in for plenty of criticism, but no one is really surprised by their present policy positions. In making the creation of a workable government possible, it is the Lib Dems who have needed to compromise most, and for this they have attracted the most damaging criticism.
Their choices may smack of a lack of integrity and conjure the dreaded “u-turn” headlines, but those of us in business should have sympathy for the need for economic pragmatism that has been exercised by the Lib Dems.
To my mind, the overriding issue is that Britain has been spending beyond its means and we no longer have a broader economic environment that will let us get away with this. Whatever I may feel about tuition fees, spending cuts, or any other pains we may have to bear, I commend them for confronting tough decisions head on.
Indeed, I think it is incumbent on business world to recognise the commitment to stability made by the Lib Dems. I do not ignore that many issues now being grappled with are highly divisive, but it’s disappointing that so many regard the Lib Dems as politic pariahs.
Whatever your personal politics, from an economic and commercial point of view their willingness to engage in government rather than criticise from the sidelines should be recognised.
James Ollerenshaw sits on the committee of the London branch of the Institute of Directors, is chair of its Young Directors’ Forum and is managing director of Curzon PR, of which Conservative Business Relations is a client. Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the Institute of Directors.
