Tom Youngman

A Public Audience with Nick Clegg: My Reaction

Nick Clegg visited Bath last Friday - one of the Lib Dems’ few safe seats - for a public question and answer session. The Guildhall audience dominated by students, it was bound to be heated, but the vocal and rowdy audience obviously took Clegg by surprise - not his typical image of heritage city Bath, I imagine!

Firstly, the bravery of a serving cabinet member to do this is refreshing. It brings politics out of the proverbial smoky back rooms and even more importantly, out of Westminster village. There is little better to get people involved in politics. That said, it cannot be looked past that this may well all be for show.

So his actual response? I was somewhat disappointed by the questions asked. Although on all essential subjects, none were asked in a challenging way, and his answers were predictable. The tuition fees betrayal? His “progressive” plans to enable lower economic entry barriers were quoted. Terrible conjunction of constituency boundaries and alternative vote bills? “I’m fixing British politics”. Massive issues such as the misplaced priorities displayed in legislating for the rise in tuition fees months before a (yet to appear) new solid system of aid to entry was created were not addressed in the slightest.

To give credit to the man, his staunch defence of democratic values was impressive and his mentions of new projects interested me greatly. The Green Investment Bank (another long promised project yet to appear!) was only touched upon, but if it receives suitable government capital investment, it could be an excellent system to promote investment in the urgently required renewable energy and sustainable transport infrastructure. His excitement at prospect of reforming the House of Lords (“something that has been discussed for over 150 years”) was distinctly visible. How this comes to fruition will be of interest, but whether he succeeds or not it will be a mighty legacy for him.

I found him interesting and engaging, if not enlightening, and I was disappointed to miss the opportunity to ask him a question myself. Whether any of this allows Don Foster to keep his largely student-supported seat at the next general election is something for which we will have to wait and see.