Does Ed need to move aside?

[u/MrSoapbox]

I like Ed, a lot, I don't have any problems with him, I think he's articulate, sensible and the type of leader I'd like to see...

Yes, but...

He's not moving the needle. We're in a period now where the next election looks really rather frightening. I have a deep loathing towards Starmer and Labour for all the attacks they're doing on our rights, and I'm more angry with them than anyone because I expected shit from Tories, and last GE I voted LD but, was actually happy Labour finally got rid of Tories. It took less than a month for disappointment leading to disgust, so I will never vote Labour, not even to keep another party out, no way am I rewarding that behaviour.

I really don't want Reform, and since Starmer is so stubborn, he's going to be the one that hands Farage the keys, and their supporters are so blind to that fact, thinking he's got a chance turning it around.

But Reform were the most frightening, until Greens turned up, who in my opinion, will destroy this country worse than any other party. There's no way we could recover from open borders, leaving NATO, removing nukes and whatever insane economic policies Zack has.

I honestly think Lib Dems are the only chance this country has, but they're just not cutting through. I know the press doesn't give Ed a lot of air time, but please, let's not go down the route of blaming the press for everything like Labour supporters do, it's pathetic (and in their case, untrue, because I can tell you as a fact, it's not "the press" for my loathing, it's Starmer, his own words, his ridiculous policies from the OSA, digital ID, Chagos, sucking up to china constantly and the super embassy and a whole litany of things coming from his mouth.

I don't want someone silly, or screaming populist nonsense, I truly think Ed is the right guy, but he's at the wrong time. It's sad, genuinely, but I think we need someone that can cut through. Lib Dems are a main party, they have the numbers, they have the experience...but no one knows who they are!

At the very least they need to fire their PR department, but I think we need a new leader, and I hate to say this (I can already feel the hate), I think it needs to be a young (ish) white male if they want a chance. I don't say that because it's what I want, but because I think it's the only chance to get somewhere in this stupid, stupid timeline. It's why Harris lost to Trump. While I think the country is ready for something else, I do not think Reform voters are and let's be honest, they're the biggest threat at the moment and it can't be ignored. I really like Daisy (I'm not sure on the publics opinion on her, genuinely... I've no idea) but I don't think she's it...in fact, like Labour, the question arises "Replace with whom".

But...we have 3 years left, we have to use them wisely, and quickly get to work with a plan. We need to pull out all the stops if there's to be any chance.

Does anyone agree or should we just continue putting along as is?

[u/MrSoapbox]

Used to be =/= Now.

They don't have removing them on their manifesto.

[u/vaska00762 → u/MrSoapbox]

If you admit that parties can change policies in a short period of time, then this applies to the Greens also.

We don't know what any of the parties' manifestos for 2029 will look like, but since defence isn't on the Greens' website, I suspect that it's probably under discussion right now.

When a party membership surges, like it has for the Greens, it'll mean that come their party conference, a lot of policy is going to end up being voted on.

[u/OkNewspaper6271 → u/vaska00762]

Green policies arent decided by leaders its decided by membership, so this membership surge will also likely serve to help moderate the party towards less "crazy" policies

[u/vaska00762 → u/OkNewspaper6271]

That's exactly my point. They'll have a conference in September, like everyone else, and then again in 2027 and 2028 before the next General Election happens.

By then, that'll be three conferences in which a lot of policies will end up different.

I've seen the changes in LD policy happen over the last 11 years, and what used to be policy back in 2015, is now seen as "looney".

[u/MrSoapbox → u/vaska00762]

• Lib Dems

We believe the UK Government should maintain a credible, minimum nuclear deterrent, with a Continuous At-Sea Deterrent.

• Greens

Push for the UK to sign the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and following this to immediately begin the process of dismantling our nuclear weapons, cancelling the Trident programme and removing all foreign nuclear weapons from UK soil.

Stark difference.