Clegg concedes popularity dip
By politics.co.uk staff
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has admitted that being in government is hitting his party’s popularity.
The Liberal Democrats have seen a dramatic slump in support since the general election, when 23% of voters backed Britain’s third party.
Subsequent polls have put the Lib Dems in the mid-teens and indicated the public are no longer clear what the party’s values stand for.
“I think it is one of the oldest rules in politics that parties in government… tend to get a dip in their popularity,” Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4’s Westminster Hour programme.
“Do I think we are going to be able to defy those rules of gravity at a time we are taking very difficult decisions on deficit reduction? No. I think that is unlikely.”
The Lib Dems’ senior partners in the coalition, the Conservatives, appear to disprove his argument. Support for David Cameron’s party has consistently hovered around the 40% mark.
Mr Clegg downplayed the significance of the forthcoming referendum on electoral reform, set to take place next May, for the health of the coalition.
His party has campaigned for electoral reform for many years. The referendum is viewed as a huge opportunity for Lib Dem campaigners who are less comfortable with the Conservative tie-up.
”If [voters] say no, they have said no,” Mr Clegg added.
“It’s an opportunity, finally – heaven knows we have been talking about this long enough.
“The Liberal Democrats aren’t a sort of glorified form of the Electoral Reform Society.
“We believe that part of renewing politics and making it more accountable and making sure that people are in charge rather than politicians is yes, having a different electoral system.
“But I wouldn’t have stood for the leadership of the Lib Dems if I thought the only sole purpose in life was to change the electoral system.”
Mr Clegg said social mobility – an issue he has been promoting all this week – mattered more to him personally. “I think there are other things which this coalition is seeking to achieve,” he added.
