Bristol West electorate feel betrayed by Lib-Con coalition
By Laura_Local | Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 13:54
The BBC news was in Bristol West today to ask people about their views on the Lib-Con coalition.
As well as visiting the more affluent parts of Clifton and Redland they questioned people in Stokes Croft and St Pauls.
They suggested that while the rural Lib Dem seats may be able to come to terms with a coalition with the Tories, urban areas such as Bristol West would find it much more difficult.
And judging by some of the responses they weren't far off.
One man said he thought the younger virgin voters who opted for the Lib Dems to keep the Tories out would feel very betrayed and may not vote Liberal ever again.
Another woman said it had the potential to be a good thing for the Lib Dems but she felt Clegg would not have the power within the coalition to make any real difference.
The BBC reporter pointed out that on a local level the council, which is run by the Lib Dems, has worked with the Tories in the past to achieve good results.
And Councillor Gary Hopkins was a lot more optimistic.
He said: "I think this is the start of a revolution in the way politics runs in this country."
Other Bristol West voters questioned about their views agreed, conceding that it was a good idea for people to share power and do what is right for the country.
But what do you think? Did you vote Lib Dem to keep the Tories out and are now wishing you hadn't? Or perhaps you were one of the few thousand people who voted Tory in Bristol West? Are you happy that your local Lib Dem MP now provides that link to a central Tory government?
Redland People wants to hear from you...
Comments
We are in the minority when it comes to the way our government works. Other countries have minority governments and coalitions so maybe it's time we started to take a fresh approach. I voted Lib Dem and was skeptical about the coalition but the seniority of the posts they have been given suggests a real union. Will it be any worse than one of the parties having a majority?
By richietees at 18:16 on 12/05/10
ReportI was very sceptical about this coalition. While a coalition with either party would have had it's problems, I thought there was no-way the Tories would welcome the Lib Dems with open arms but that appears to be exactly what they have done. I was very impressed with the joined-up thinking displayed at the Cameron and Clegg speech and felt perhaps I shouldn't have been so hasty. This really could work and only time will tell but let's not shoot them down from the onset...
By williamsays at 17:21 on 12/05/10
ReportI live in Redland, and voted Lib Dem. I, like many others, was very tired of the previous Labour Government who were arguably more right-wing and authoritarian than any tory government has been. However, I did not entirely trust the tories either; as such, I voted Lib Dem. However, in doing so, I knew I would simply be "standing aside" to allow the Tories in - only a mass number of Labour votes could have prevented any Tory majority. I hoped that a Lib Dem vote would lead to a hung parliament and a potential "check" on any Tory Government. To my mind, this is exactly what has happened.
A tory government was always highly likely; however, a coalition means that rather than a purely tory agenda (which is not in itself an entirely negative thing), we have a balance, with several positive, social democratic policies introduced. I would suggest that a Tory Government with potential voting reform, no raised inheritance tax threshold, fixed term parliaments, a higher £10k tax threshold, Lib Dem cabinet members and per-plane tax levies is better than a Tory Government with none of the above!
By Smitter at 14:58 on 12/05/10
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