David Barton is a conservation consultant and writer, advocating for traditional vernacular architecture
At a time when the national political sphere appears ever more precarious, I have chosen to compile my own grassroots observations together in the hope that this may assist Associations and Federations across the UK and Ireland. This arises from having canvassed many high-profile individuals and organisations that have emigrated or are considering leaving the UK.
I am beginning this six piece series by addressing the Conservatives’ historical and original opposition- the Liberal Democrats (the Yellows). As with most of the opposition- this Political Party can trace its origins back to the Conservatives and is something that we should acknowledge and capitalise upon. To those newer readers this happened through the Peelites who merged with the Radicals and the Whigs to become the Liberal Party in the 1850s before formally transforming into their modern-day guise of the Liberal Democrats in 1988. It should be noted that in 1912 another Liberal breakaway Party- the Liberal Unionist Party also merged with the Conservatives.
In my direct experience as a private citizen, elected representative and community campaigner, the pattern adopted by this Party has been precisely the same. If you do reside in a historical yellow marginal or target area then many of the following characteristics will have become apparent over time and I’m certain will persist, so I encourage anyone either standing or considering standing for Election to consider these points.
The Yellows’ strategy deploys a combination of targeted contentment attacks against their opposition that combines both grandstanding on others’ work, superficial digital media usage and unprofessional vocal outbursts designed to attract support by appearing proactive on an issue yet in reality likely alienating those with a great ability to action an issue.
Let us dissect each of these four points for old and new members alike as we strive to support one another near and afar.
- The standard “Focus” newsletter profiling high-profile or rival candidates, providing gossip-laden summaries that may have been produced by the Old Ladies in 1960s’ Coronation Street or 1980s’ EastEnders. Very often this carefully crafted dread notes designed to dissuade some of the brightest minds and people from becoming active in their community will have received one or more of these- especially upon successful election. My guidance is this: pursue your original campaign, keeping it positive yet constructive with action taken by yourself on things that won’t antagonise either the ruling opposition Council or local residents and businesses. The short-term win of condemning a supposed rogue property owner is, in fact something that made me consider becoming more active originally.
- The central placing of a Liberal Democrat figure into a campaign that a private individual, community group or another candidate or elected official has been driving, such as the rescue of an historic building. This issue can be mostly rectified if you have kept records of all of your individual efforts. Whilst painstaking at times, it is a good habit to get into and even if you do one day have to counter facts with facts there is a black and white timeline delineating people’s individual contributions towards any one cause even if a sitting Yellow may claim to have done something such as raise a motion or ask a question at a meeting in the same space of time as your own achievements will be clearly identified and to what extent of significance they hold.
- The engineered use of digital media platforms to re-share others’ work as though their own and providing free adverts for family, friends and supporters. Too often graphics and videos are utilised to appear productive. Whether taking credit, welcoming things or talking about things that already happen including new businesses opening, this isn’t satisfactory. I would instead consider highlighting actual individual achievements and focusing more upon content than formatting which to the most discerning person appears as blatant vanity.
- The Yellows at Council Meetings providing interminable speeches regarding how atrocious the opposing local authority is that risks losing key support on a major issue. With many meetings now recorded for posterity by their corresponding Councils this is a double-bladed sword. Whilst it may provide good PR for a Party seeking to appear proactive serving its community with raised voices and staged theatre, it soon becomes apparent how these hyperbolic tirades can actually demonstrate how and why certain matters are neither actioned or materialised by whichever Political Party controls that Local Authority. My advice is this – remain calm, polished and professional without engaging in parallel guerrilla style tactics as you risk alienating your core base and causing people to question why they supported you. Additionally if you lose the issue then you may risk losing future support and you can’t use this case anymore.
Whilst the Liberal Democrats may appear well-organised and united, this Party’s approach prioritises electoral campaigning over actual governance and so it is only by balancing all of these attributes that will deliver the best universal outcomes for everyone and provide a lasting legacy overall.