Mark Pack reports the Liberal Democrats membership has slumped to less than 50,000. Twenty years ago it was 100,000 - I remember the press release of Paddy Ashdown announcing in the run up to the 1992 general election the landmark recruit conveniently in the key seat of Bath. Which entirely coincidently was won a few weeks later by Don Foster - defeating then Tory Chairman Chris Patten.
There is no gloss that can be put on this - and Mark's valient attempt to deflect attention onto the Tories is a misplaced attempt at loyalty that cannot be allowed to lead to complacency.
These figures add to the growing body of evidence that the party is dying on its feet. Over the last two years its councillor base has been hollowed out, it has all but dissapeared in Scotland and the northern cities, it has started spending more than it receives in income and its poll ratings still face south.
Yet the party at Westminster appears to be unconcerned by this collapse. I wrote on 7 May the party faces a fight for its very existence. Sadly it is now clear it is a fight it faces with hugely depleted troops.
One has to wonder at what point do the powers that be at Westminster wake up?
There is no gloss that can be put on this - and Mark's valient attempt to deflect attention onto the Tories is a misplaced attempt at loyalty that cannot be allowed to lead to complacency.
These figures add to the growing body of evidence that the party is dying on its feet. Over the last two years its councillor base has been hollowed out, it has all but dissapeared in Scotland and the northern cities, it has started spending more than it receives in income and its poll ratings still face south.
Yet the party at Westminster appears to be unconcerned by this collapse. I wrote on 7 May the party faces a fight for its very existence. Sadly it is now clear it is a fight it faces with hugely depleted troops.
One has to wonder at what point do the powers that be at Westminster wake up?
