Comments on: Beware of the mythical centreground. http://www.anthonypainter.co.uk/2010/05/21/beware-of-the-mythical-centreground/ UK, EU and US politics. All stir-fried with a dash of tabasco Sat, 04 Dec 2010 20:31:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Chris Malvern http://www.anthonypainter.co.uk/2010/05/21/beware-of-the-mythical-centreground/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 Chris Malvern Fri, 21 May 2010 18:29:05 +0000 http://www.anthonypainter.co.uk/?p=2363#comment-1572 This was without question,a 'change' election and if these 2 studies can be extrapolated, the direction of future focus appears to be addressing apathy and antithesis in younger voters (particularly women). Agree that immigration is an issue to address to attract wider support, a debate that will not sit comfortably with large numbers of party members pre-election (new members total 18,000 apparently). I suspect that this will not feature too heavily in the leadership contest as a result. Hard to see how this could be viewed to be a vote winner. Having said this, it appears more generally that there is a strong desire for honesty, definition and boldness in leadership decisions and party direction. Perhaps, in the near future, the next leader will face a clause IV type moment on this very issue? This was without question,a ‘change’ election and if these 2 studies can be extrapolated, the direction of future focus appears to be addressing apathy and antithesis in younger voters (particularly women).

Agree that immigration is an issue to address to attract wider support, a debate that will not sit comfortably with large numbers of party members pre-election (new members total 18,000 apparently). I suspect that this will not feature too heavily in the leadership contest as a result. Hard to see how this could be viewed to be a vote winner. Having said this, it appears more generally that there is a strong desire for honesty, definition and boldness in leadership decisions and party direction. Perhaps, in the near future, the next leader will face a clause IV type moment on this very issue?

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