Reply #10: Indeed.

[Vicar In A Tutu]

You know, I hope the next Labour leader renounces Iraq from the off - If he voted for it say, "look, in truth, I was conned. Like a lot of people, I was conned." that would be refreshing - unlikely, but refreshing.

Otherwise, Labour are much closer to my heart than the Lib Dems. Inequality has increased, sure, but that's the freight train of Thatcherism for you. It's a skewed picture though because while the wealthy have accumulated additional money quickly, the poor aren't as destitute as they were in the 80s. There is more help. There is a minimum wage. And then there are civil partnerships, which are surely a great thing regardless of your economic standing.

Nick Clegg co-wrote a decidedly Thatcher-esque tome entitled The Orange Book, setting out a dubious economic vision. With that said, there are many genuinely Liberal Lib Dems. Good people, though I felt the party in much safer hands under Ashdown and particularly Charles Kennedy than I do now. The perception of the Lib Dems as a socialist super-power are completely distorted. If Labour can break from the shackles of last decade's war alliance with Blair's soulmate, Bush, they will once again be the only real option for the left leaning voter, however imperfect they will always be.

Thatcherism created a monster. Expecting - whether you're from the UK or the US - a return to proper left-wing government after the horrific sea change of the 1980s is a pipe dream. That changed everything, and while the train cannot be stopped there still exist some who'll look to slow it down somewhat.