Vince Cable: Lib Dems could change name in push for new centrist movement
The Liberal Democrats could change their name in a bid to win opponents over to form a new political movement, Sir Vince Cable has said.
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable is attempting to reform the partyThe party leader said he was against the idea - but admitted he had an “open mind” to re-branding the movement the New Liberal Democrats.
Rumours have been swirling around Westminster that a new centrist party could form to cut through the two extremes of the current Labour and Conservative parties.
Sir Vince is pushing for Lib Dem rule changes to allow non-members to vote in leadership elections and to allow non-MPs to bid for the top job in the hope of attracting new blood to the party.
On a potential name change, Sir Vince told the Telegraph: “British politics is very tribal. There still a lot of tribal loyalty and people find it difficult to move in the British system.
“Changing names is a superficial thing – maybe because I am not a marketing person I don’t understand the importance of it.
“This new enlarged movement that we are creating – if the membership of it wants to change its name, it can change its name, I am not pushing for that.”
And he added: “In two words we capture the group of values - we are liberal people, a lot of us are social democrat as well.
“If someone wants to stick ‘new’ on the front – I have an open mind on it.”
Elsewhere, Sir Vince said he has held informal talks with six Tory MPs and 12 Labour MPs about creating a new centre-left party.
martynwoodbevan...
09:09 on 16th September 2018
The Neoliberal Democrats are NOT actually a Centrist Party. They were quite happy to fit with the Conservative Party and their Neoliberal ways, and their only policy seems to be to remain in a Neoliberal EU at all costs AND slightly increase income tax for the NHS. Given the unlikely event of forming a "Fake Centrist" Party with Tory Remainers and Labour Neoliberals they could rebrand themselves as "The Chosen Few". Neoliberalism has had its day and with the new Centrist Labour Party adopting a Nordic Model Mixed Economy with "Investment-Led Growth" and properly funded Public Services and Cooperative Public Ownership of essential services there is no need for a "Fake" Alternative.