Subscribe to The Spectator

Saturday 26 May 2012

Latest issue

Buy the current issue

Jobs at Telegraph

Friday, 7th March 2008

 Calamity Clegg

James Forsyth 8:55am

Matthew Norman has a very funny column in The Independent today on the damage that Nick Clegg has done to himself and the Liberal Democrats with his appalling handling of the Lisbon treaty vote. As Norman asks, “

What must Lib Dem MPs be making of the contrast between his punchy, basso profundo leadership style and the pubescent squealings of Mr Clegg? Much as we all enjoy wacky bids for inclusion in the Guinness World Records book, they can hardly ditch yet another leader before he has even completed that mythical first 100 days. Even so, you needn't hijack that new machine which reads human thoughts from brain patterns to see what is on their minds.”
The latest Mori Political Monitor shows that the Lib Dems are still becalmed at 16 percent in the polls. One wonders whether Clegg can recover from this self-inflicted wound. Certainly, this week’s events have left him looking weak and indecisive. Hardly, qualities that a party leader wants to project.

Blogs: Martin Bright | Susan Hill | Alex Massie | Melanie Phillips | Faith Based | Cappuccino Culture

Actions: Email to a friend  |   Permalink   |   Comments (9) | Subscribe

Post this entry to:   del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Comments Post comment

Austin Barry

March 7th, 2008 10:56am Report this comment

As the pointless leader of a pointless party which only acts to spoil the dynamics of a two party system, Clegg serves no purpose except, as the prettiest member of the commons, to cause a flutter in the hearts and trousers of the Government's front bench.

salieri

March 7th, 2008 11:09am Report this comment

On the matter of monorchid world leaders I do think mention should have been made of A. Hitler Esq. In contrast, Mr McBean unfortunately, has Balls but no cojones.

SJH

March 7th, 2008 11:28am Report this comment

Your quotation from Norman's article would make better sense if you also included the preceding sentence: "Ah, Vince Cable, Vince Cable" who is the punchy, basso profundo contrast to Niente Cojones Clegg

JT

March 7th, 2008 12:37pm Report this comment

Why does everyone keep saying Clegg is good-looking?

mike

March 7th, 2008 1:10pm Report this comment

If elected is this chappie going to increase the price of our booze does anyone know ? I believe the other opposition chappie is going to tax us to a safe society. Now that's going to be a vote winner for sure. No booze for the old and poor, and the scruffs will just pinch it anyway. This has got to be his best "Pledge Of The Day" yet surely.

madasafish

March 7th, 2008 1:27pm Report this comment

Liberal Democrats have elected in quick succession: an alcoholic a minger -sorry an old man who acts 95 and a calamity. At least they are consistent. And they think they could run a Government Department let alone a Government.!

mark

March 7th, 2008 3:26pm Report this comment

the Norman article in the Indy is brilliant -

TGF UKIP

March 7th, 2008 7:11pm Report this comment

Brilliant Austin Barry - I always enjoy those posts that make me laugh out loud. And, of course, hit bullseye!

Fergus Pickering

March 8th, 2008 5:50am Report this comment

Don't knock the boozers. Pitt the Younger and Churchill are hard acts to follow, Charlie got it right on Iraq and Fourteen-pints-a-night Haig (all right he got it wrong on Iraq)is my man for P.M. If Gordie drank a bit more he might be able to rejoin the human race.

Post comment

Back to top

Cartoons

Tag Cloud

Coffee House archive

sponsored links

Spectator recommends

Spectator classifieds

THE PRESENT FINDER

1,700 Unusual Christmas Presents Request Catalogue 01935 815 195 Quote SPEC10 for 10% discount www.presentfinder.co.uk

OLIVE BRANCH FLORISTS

Pimilco based Florist with online ordering Web: www.olivebranch.net Tel: 020 7630 1868 Fax: 020 7233 8844

RUFFS Bespoke Signet rings

62 Shore Road, Warsash, Southampton, SO31 9FT Telephone: 01489 578867 Web site: www.ruffs.co.uk