tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22057922.post8053698476096226151..comments2023-10-30T14:03:37.394+00:00Comments on Lindylooz Muze: The Ming Thing - Jackgate or Jackdoor?Linda Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05155438246679688058noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22057922.post-23576530676382601182007-08-05T19:55:00.000+01:002007-08-05T19:55:00.000+01:00Actually James, you are right - I have had a look ...Actually James, you are right - I have had a look and I was saying much the same thing when I was getting frustrated with Ming's early performances. I suppose the reason I said I gave him a chance was that I did genuinely keep trying to find something positive about his leadership,you will find that after my comments about the caretaker in the cupboard, I said nothing more until after Federal Conference, when the knives were out for Simon. My next comments were a genuine attempt to look for the positive and yet again point up the areas for "development" - remember up until then my only knowledge of him was based on the media and his performances at hustings. Since being on FPC of course I have had more chance to challenge my own assumptions. Maybe to the outsider it looks like being disengenuous, you may be right, to me it was a genuine internal struggle, so I guess when I made the comment of giving him a chance that was what I was thinking of.Linda Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05155438246679688058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22057922.post-10249875617196582542007-08-05T18:59:00.000+01:002007-08-05T18:59:00.000+01:00Like Paul, I don't question your right to speak ou...Like Paul, I don't question your right to speak out (perhaps your wisdom...) - I simply question why it was newsworthy. However, I think you are being a little disingenuous when you claim that you gave Ming a chance. You are on record for first making that claim when he had been leader for a month. I don't think a month is long enough to decide on someone's leadership. You get full marks for consistency, but score very poorly in terms of having a genuinely open mind.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22057922.post-5201833489568148132007-08-05T18:58:00.000+01:002007-08-05T18:58:00.000+01:00Thanks - all the best :-)Thanks - all the best :-)Paul Walterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525444717679391831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22057922.post-79235297608242259402007-08-05T18:38:00.000+01:002007-08-05T18:38:00.000+01:00Paul, thanks, I appreciate what you say, and also ...Paul, thanks, I appreciate what you say, and also appreciate all the nice things you have said about me! It was a non story, you are right - in fact I was surprised it got picked up at all. I really didn't want to cause a major stir - believe me if I had I would have said something different!!! As I have already said, I hesitated for all the reasons you have given. As for speaking for others, if you read my posts you will see that sentiment has come from some, as well as those who have spoken to me personally. Actually, the fact that so many people briefed off the record kind of indicates that some of our fellow Lib Dems DO have a problem speaking out! So, I also respect your right to think me daft.........maybe, but why break the habit of a lifetime!!!!Linda Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05155438246679688058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22057922.post-60278711857756555552007-08-05T18:15:00.000+01:002007-08-05T18:15:00.000+01:00A blog post up to your normal high standard Linda....A blog post up to your normal high standard Linda. All along I have been in the "I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it" camp on your remarks.<BR/><BR/>My reference to you as an FPC member did actually include "not an MP etc" also, and, as re-reading the post will demonstrate, did not refer to your right to speak or to be listened to, it was referring to the fact that, in news terms, it was a complete non-story (see James Graham's excellent post http://www.theliberati.net/quaequamblog/2007/08/05/media-caveat-emptor/)<BR/><BR/>That was not intended to denigrate your right to speak or to be listened to, it was stating a fairly obvious fact - it was only covered in the East Anglian Free Press apart from BBC Online, in August!<BR/><BR/>When you compare that to the Cameron/Miraj thing it speaks well of our party that people can speak out but it doesn't get blown out of proportion in the press, and there isn't the viriol you get in the other parties.<BR/><BR/>I repeat that I greatly respect you r right to speak and to be listened to. I just think you are wrong and daft on this subject!<BR/><BR/>Is that alright?!<BR/><BR/>And by the way, this business about speaking for other people - what utter nonsense! If they want to speak let them speak - I have never found LibDems backward in coming forward, have you?<BR/><BR/>;-)Paul Walterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525444717679391831noreply@blogger.com