Lessons of Coalition (9): what do we Lib Dems need to learn?

LibDemVoice is running a daily feature, 'Lessons of Coalition', to assess the major do's and don'ts learned from our experience of the first 3 years in government. Reader contributions are welcome, either as comments or posts. The word limit is no more than 450 words, and please focus on just one lesson you think the party needs to learn. Simply email your submission to voice@libdemvoice.org and copy info@eastmidslibdems.org.uk.

Today Rob Parsons shares his thoughts.

Understand the mechanics of government

Be grown up. It is possible to be grown up in politics, as exemplified by Vince Cable's famous statement that the Tories are ruthless, calculating and tribal, but that doesn't mean we can't work with them. Whatever you think of Nick Clegg, I think one of his best contributions to the temper of this government has been to keep his cool and his bonhomie, and not get sucked into the puce faced yelling that too often disfigures both sides of the House, especially at PMQs. That is a win all round: it is good government, and the public show signs of liking it.

Be intelligent and be nimble. We were caught out too often early on by the pace of events. We took a while to understand how government was going to work. We have been bounced by Tory ambushes on a number of occasions, most noticeably on the privatisation of the NHS (I refuse to call it "reform") and that has sometimes been painful. One issue about that episode was that when we found out what they were up to, we were slow to react. We learned a lot of lessons about intelligence (in the sense of information gathering) and about the mechanics of government. The simple solution of more bodies, more advisers in our offices was one of the answers. We have still been caught out from time to time. And that will continue, but better intelligence will reduce the number of incidents, and nimble footwork, with the occasional showdown, will reduce the impact when it does happen.

Expect incompetence. The Tories remain the nasty party of British politics. We expected them to be nasty (though I have to say they exceeded my expectations - Iain Duncan Smith's welfare policies are poisonous, and the Home Office's racial targeting of immigration "offenders" is unspeakable). We did not expect them to be as incompetent as they have been. They are not the party of safe hands that they claim to be. Labour will be just as incompetent from time to time (and so will we be): it goes with the territory. Live with it; manage it.

Keep thinking. The ideas above are about the mechanics of government. But the mechanics don't work if you don't have a philosophy. Philosophy is a living thing: it changes as the world changes. In a world where neoliberal orthodoxy is close to becoming hegemonic, we - the entire party, and friends - need more than ever to keep working at the basis of liberal democratic philosophy so that, in a fast changing, globalised and confusing world, our representatives in government have a compass and an anchor that they can rely on.

Previously Published:

Stephen Tall: Stronger policy development and campaigning on issues that matter to the public (AKA where's our liberal equivalent of the benefits cap?)

Mark Valladares: Better party communications responding to the realities of governing

Gareth Epps: Government: What's Occurrin?

Nick Thornsby: Making a success of coalition government as a concept

Caron Lindsay: That old "walk a mile in each others' shoes" thing works

Louise Shaw: One member, one vote for all party elections

Mark Pack: The invisible ministers should up their game, or be sacked

Robin McGhee: We should organise ministers better

Note from the Webmaster

All responses to this series of five articles will be posted on the website and forwarded to Phil.Kowles - Policy Officer for the East Midlands and Lucy Care our representative on Federal Policy Committee