Nick Clegg in radio first with LBC phone-in
Deputy PM Nick Clegg made radio history yesterday morning as he became the first senior Cabinet minister, all be it unelected by the public into the position, to host a regular radio phone-in. The Liberal Democrat leader took a barrage of criticism in the first outing of the half-hour edition of ‘Call Clegg’.
In typical politician mode, any attempt to address questions posed made way for spin and coverings of gloss by avoiding the issues and discussing the ‘successes’ the Lib Dems had made while in the collation with the Tory party.
Clegg was asked about the cost cutting of spending in government services and payments which will affect the poorest in society, university tuition fees, Britain and Europe’s unity and the Liberal Democrats selling out all their principals for a short-term spell in power.
The biggest critic to get on-air was a former Lib Dem Councillor, John Doran, who said he had terminated his involvement with the party, after nearly 40 years, due to the ‘ConDem’ alliance cuts to welfare which is making the poorest poorer.
Doran read out the wording from the Liberal Democrats’ membership card,
“The Liberal Democrats exist to build and safeguard a fair, free and open society, in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, and in which no-one shall be enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity.” Doran added, “the party’s stated mission could not be reconciled with this government’s attacks on the most vulnerable people in society”.
Clegg responded that the Liberal Democrats had taken “big, collective and brave” decision to join with the Tories.
“Maybe on cloud Clegg” says ATV Today’s Vivian Summers, “I’d suggest it was a big, collective and incredibly foolish decision which has lost the Lib Dems any credibility with the voting public.
“Let’s face facts, Clegg is in power for the rewards it will reap him, not the party nor for the general public who he almost fooled with his hollow promises.”
Clegg, along with Tory leader, and current unelected PM, David Cameron, both believe they will remain in power after the next General Election.
“They couldn’t get elected by the public the first time around, you have to be deluded to be so out of touch with the public. The most honest thing he said in the whole interview was he owns a ‘onesie’, and hasn’t worn it. And I can’t be sure if the latter of that statement is true.” Vivian adds.
The LBC Call Clegg slot runs weekly from 9am for half an hour as part of the Nick Ferrari programme.
[Written by Neil Lang, Source: LBC Radio]
