Leaving the Liberal Democrats?

As Green Party Conference starts, I’m of course disappointed not to be attending, but enjoying the outside perspective, as the BBC and Guardian cover our pitch to disaffected Lib Dem voters and activists.

One point raised by the media is that our opinion poll ratings have ranged from 2 to 6%, while the Lib Dems are tracking around 9 to 15%. That point ignores the fact that when the question is asked about who you would like to vote for, Green isn’t ever given as an option. The pollsters ask if you would like to vote red, blue or yellow (or for some “other” party). It’s an important point, because you have to compare like with like.

So disaffected Liberal Democrats, what does the future hold for you? Do you stay or do you join us on principle (or Labour for convenience)? This earlier post outlines the successes we’ve had when former Lib Dem councillors have joined us. Here in Liverpool, John Coyne, a Lib Dem until 2006, was re-elected as a Green again this year with over 50% of the vote, in an election where all but 2 Lib Dem councillors lost their seats.