Andy Reeves posted a comment on Facebook today stating he was thinking about post May 2010. Amy Rodger then said it would be a strange new world. I added I’m already in one. Why?
Both of them were thinking about the political landscape after the next Westminster election where it appears the Tories will have a majority and the ‘independence’ party might do well in Scotland. But my new world has already started. Many people in the Lib Dems here in East Lothian think I quit the local party scene because Amy quit as Westminster candidate. Not strictly true. I was always going to quit when her campaign was over. A decision I made in 2008 which Amy was aware of.
I have no intention of campaigning at local level at the next council elections as I’ve no confidence in the current group of councillors. They don’t campaign, they won’t listen, they’ve got sucked into power, they appear to be only interested in themselves not the party. They certainly don’t appear interested in promoting liberal democracy. In addition, given who was likely to be the next Holyrood candidate I was not going to campaign then either – I don’t like the person – why work for someone you don’t like. I did that once before and didn’t enjoy it. OK he’s now screwed up his future because of what he’s done over the Westminster selection process but it makes no difference to me. I won’t campaign locally for the party until I see evidence of councillor’s changing their mind and starting to campaign and that has to be in the next few months not, a few months prior to the next council elections.
So, for the next 3 years at least it looks like there will be no local party activity from me – the first time since 1991! I’m already living in my new world.
