Clegg bounce brings fresh life to a marathon campaign

Published: 23 April 2010
by PETER GRUNER

THERE was definitely a new spring in the step of Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Bridget Fox this week – and inevitably it was put down to the Clegg effect.

Out canvassing on Tuesday, the former Islington Lib Dem councillor was looking less like a librarian – her job away from politics – and more like the confident, consummate national politician she aspires to be.

It may have helped to have had a peer by her side when it came to knocking on doors. Particularly as Lord Rennard, the former chief executive of the Lib Dems nationally, is regarded as the party guru who has masterminded many of its successful election campaigns.

Ms Fox, 45, is taking on Labour incumbent MP Emily Thornberry in the battle for Islington South and Finsbury at the general election.

At the last election, she came within 484 votes of winning the seat, achieving a 12.1 per cent swing from Labour. The Lib Dems say they need only a swing of 0.8 per cent to win the seat this time.

Also providing support was new Lib Dem Canonbury council election candidate Farhana Hoque. She is a 21-year-old politics student at the LSE who grew up on the Elthorne estate in Archway and whose parents were originally from Bangladesh.

With newspaper talk of a possible ruling Lib Dem-Labour government pact, what would Ms Fox consider a priority? “We’ve promised to scrap the council tax and replace it with a fairer income tax. It should be done sooner rather than later,” she said.

Ms Fox describes herself as quietly optimistic without being complacent. “I’ve been campaigning since the last general election,” she said. “I’ve got a good feeling this time. It’s partly the Clegg effect and partly that people have had enough of Labour.”

But what about criticism of Islington’s Lib Dem rulers? “I’m proud of our achievements on the council,” she said. “We have some of the best green policies in the country and were one of the first to introduce local police teams.”

Lord Rennard added: “This is a very marginal seat and our leader Nick Clegg is extremely keen that Bridget wins this time. She’s got an excellent chance and I believe she will be an extremely strong MP.”

He added that Lib Dems want MPs to be more accountable and would seek reform of the House of Lords to ensure that peers are elected rather than nominated. 

“We also want to say that if an MP is found guilty of an offence then there should be a power of recall by the constituency, who should be able to change their MP,” he added.

Where opponents agree – and part company

WILL the Clegg bounce decide marginal seats? This was the question posed after Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg was hailed as winner of the first televised leaders’ debate.

Although local Lib Dems may be buoyant, Labour campaigners say it has not swayed undecided voters in closely-fought Islington South.

On some of the issues Mr Clegg has tried to set himself apart on – anti-Trident, 90 days detention – Islington Labour MPs Emily Thornberry and Jeremy Corbyn not only agree with him, but have opposed their own government.

Both voted against extending the Trident programme, and Ms Thornberry was instrumental in bringing an amendment to the government’s 90-day detention proposal, to bring it down to 28 days.

Ms Thornberry said: “The Lib Dems make a great deal of their green agenda. Throughout my career I’ve been a strong environmentalist but I believe the vehicle for change should be the Labour Party and you can make a difference within the party.”

She added: “Where I do part company with them is on CCTV and ID cards. What’s wrong with having an ID card? The question is: what’s on it? Do you have to carry it? How much is it?

“I don’t see how it’s a civil liberty issue. Having something that proves who you are, so what?”