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Do you think Tony Blair should be tried for war crimes in Iraq?

I am a Libdem supporter but wonder what it will take for the British public (and media) to take the party seriously. What is Sir Menzies going to do to address this?

What policies will you introduce to shed your party's image of being teflon coated and all things to all men

Please advise if disproportional representation is democratic and if it undemocratic should we support an undemocratic system.

With the reported level of crime falling across the board, except in the one area of violent crime, isn't the "We Can Cut Crime!" campaign a waste of resources when there are more important public issues?

In light of Gordon Brown's 'Big Tent' approach to Government and David Cameron's dragging of the Conservatives towards the centre of the political spectrum, what can, or do, the Liberal Democrats offer to the voters of the United Kingdom that is distinctive from either of the other two main parties?

Sir Menzies Campbell live on Newsnight! Oh be still my beating heart! How can Channel 4 News compete with such paltry offerings as live interviews with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ..

Do you believe that someone who is considering which party to vote for at the next election can gain enough information about the Liberal Democrats to make an informed choice. It seems to me that they are always responding to something rather than setting any agenda. I also find the charade of PMQs almost embarrassing to watch as it is so contrived that I feel we would be better served to do away with it and the only people who really enjoy it are those in the chamber.

The LibDems are missing a trick here. With Cons and Labour virtually identical in the way their policies are safe and steady, but inneffective, you could really exploit the gap in the market for common sense policies that will make a real difference to the well being of this country...eg Immigration - let's have a limit, Green issues - instead of taxes we want action, limit the number of flights for example, Prisons - let's have as many as we need and more just in case, Yobs - round them up and take mobile phones off them!

Question to Ming Campbell.

You quite rightly sacked Baroness Tonge as a Party spokesman in the House of Lords when she purported to express some sympathy for suicide bombers. Since then she has upset even more people by claiming that the West and "our party" is in "the grip of Jewish money". How then do you account for the fact that she has recently been re-appointed as a spokesman on health issues for the Party in the Lords?

Are you scared to enforce discipline?

Question for Sir Menzies.....Are the Lib-Dems still passionate/paranoid particularly concerned with'proportional representation'?
And would they adopt the Old Labour Party's Clause 4. P.F.I.s and privatisation of monopolies are anathema to the British public!
Believe me - 'promise to bring back into public ownership transport energy, water, health etc. etc." and they're home and dry! Even in 'middle England!'

Now that Gordon Brown is starting to bring the troops out of Iraq , what will the Lib-Dems do when they campaign in Next Years Local Elections.

For the past 4 years their leaflets have been full of pictures of Tony Blair, George Bush and stories about Iraq. Will they ever tell local people what they stand for in local elections , instead of wittering on about how bad everybody else is and how saintly they are !

How difficult is it for the Liberal Democrats to maintain their patch in the political landscape at the moment, with Labour and Tories moving into the Centre?

How independent are the MTHR studies/findings and will Evan Harris one day regret his 'good news' quote?

I would like to know if Sir Menzies ever read the "Treaty of Rome" Government white paper in 1957, and then read it a second time, but reading between the lines. I did, and fifty years later I am still at a loss to see what it offered my Country, other than what is on offer today. Nothing said, written or done in that fifty years leads me to think my original stance is wrong.

Terry Clark, L'ISLE-SUR-LA SORGUE, France

I would like to ask Mr. Campbell the following questions:
1-If he is elected as Prime Minister, what does he intend to do about the problem of immigration?
2-What does he inted to do with the NHS mess that has taken over the country?
3-What are his views of people with disabilities? What does he inted to do with them?
4-What does he inted to do about the "greying" of the United Kingdom (meaning as people grow older)? Does he inted to put them into homes for the elderly?

I have a question for Sir Campbell. Simple really: Why does he bother?

Please could you ask Sir Campbell if he would abolish water fluoridation should the Liberal Democrats attain power.

It is high time Britain abondoned the ludicrous practice of 'poisoning' the public water supply.

That is all.

Kevin Glynn

Did Sir Menzies ever carefully read the Treaty of Rome, Government White Paper published in 1975?

I could find nothing in it then, or since on many re-readings, or in any other Treaty published since. Nothing that leads me to believe my original feelings are wrong.

Regardless of what politicians tell us, a European Superstate was planned; eventually, from day one.

Terry Clark, L'ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE, France.

Around 30% of the UK's carbon emissions come from domestic housing (electricity use, and gas) - and there are only a relatively small proportion of homes that still need to have loft insulation or cavity wall improvements (a parliamentary answer stated that eight million people lack cavity wall insulation and 6 million lack roof insulation). The rest of the housing stock loses substantial amounts of energy, and will continue to do so unless active measures are taken to cut energy loss. What can be done to insulate older houses better, and how will the funds be found to do so (or what incentives will there be to make people install more complex insulation techniques). Without significant - though-difficult-to-achieve - improvements in energy loss by domestic dwellings, Britain has little chance of making savings of 80% CO2 emissions by 2050. What policy measures do the Lib Dems suggest?

The Liberal Democrats will always be the third largest party. As a result its influence in national politics will always be limited. Now that Labour is looking as though its majority will at best be reduced significantly, should the LibDems not align themselves much more closely with Labour to ensure it can influence the policy agenda in the next parliament much more actively as part of a coalition government?

If Labour sits at the centre on economic issues and the Tories are courting the green vote, what distinguishes any of you from each other without reference to the past and the war in Iraq? Can you as leader forge a new sense of purpose? Or is it time for a younger candidate who can change politics from astroturf to grassroots?

Are the Lib/Dems to the left of the Right of the Labour party. I am very confused

Does the Right Honourable member agree that there is no longer any point in the Liberal Democrats and that their return to organising church fetes and running rotary clubs will be much appreciated by the voting public?

A barrage across the Severn Estuary could go a long way towards reducing carbon emissions, in line with the Lib Dems ambitious target of a 94% reduction by 2050 without nuclear power. What does Sir Menzies expect from the Sustainable Development Commission's forthcoming report on the matter, and would the Lib Dems support such a project if it was economically viable?

I would like to ask -
When is he going to step down and let a more youthful, dynamic and intouch person take over as leader. He has made the party a weak, stale and out of touch rabble.
ex- Liberal Voter

The leaders of Britain's 3 main parties act in accordance with the principle:- "if we worry about the small things, perhaps the big things will go away"

Does mr Campbell (a) know what the big things are and (b0 have any notion of how to send them away?

I left the UK to live in Saxony, mid-Germany at the end of the Thatcher years when I was thoroughly disillusioned and pessimistic about Britain's future. I must say I'm rather impressed with Angela Merkel's performance in comparison with Maggie's so would be interested to know what Sir Menzies thinks has changed during the Labour years and what he would do to entice me, as a pensioner of nearly 70 years, back to me native shores?

Dear Sir,What are your thoughts about the Missiles and Radar being positioned around Russia by the U.S.ofA. Governmemt and are you still in favour of the Trident Missile System not being updated/replaced? yours faithfully john MORRIS

The government seem to be distancing itself from their previous founders and allies the trade unions.If traditional labour voters help to get the liberal democrats elected will the unions get a more sympathetic ear from you?

Does Mr. Campbell agree with the proposals of the Tory Party Quality of Life Committee? Would Mr. Campbell support the construction of HS2(the North/South High-Speed (rail) Route)in order to encourage people to use the train rather than the aeroplane on the London to West Midlands - the North West - Central Scotland axis?

I'd like you to ask Mr Campbell what he would do to address the growing inequalities between those benefits afforded to the Scots (free tuition fees, free elderly care, lower class sizes, higher social spending per capita) and the rest of us, particularly the English who have no Parliament to represent them.

Are there any circumstances in which the Lib-Dems would conceivably join up with Labour in government e.g. iin the event of a hung election? Then, would you consider joining with Labour if they agreed to one important condition - that is to seriously put before the country an electoral change to Proportional Representation?

Are there any conceivable conditions in which the Lib-Dems would join up with Labour in government, e.g. in the event of a hung election result? Then, would you consider joining with Labour in government if they agreed to the condition of seriously putting to the country a change in the electoral process to Proportional Representation?

Which is more likely: The lib dems winning the next election or going into the next election with a new leader?

How are you going to explain the power cuts and a 50% rise in electricity bills if the electorate are foolish enough to ever vote you into power and you reach your renewables target whilst letting nuclear wither on the vine.

Does Mr Campbell agree with me that the current escalation of Russian military action in the air, Europe being held ransom almost by the Russian energy monopoly and growing political restrictions on Russian citizens concern him. If so, how does he believe that the many problem can be tackled to stop this giant rising again to Polaris the world?

Why do the Liberal Democrats advocate a local income tax if the Poll Tax was so unpopular?

I support proportional representation but can he explain how this would work in practice and what the the Lib Dems preferred mechanism is?

I am against the national list system where parties propose a list of 100s of their proposed representatives who, starting from the top, are assigned seats according to their proportion of the vote.

The constituency system, in some form, should be retained so that each MP knows they have to face the voters directly rather than focusing their political skills on getting higher up their party's list.

Voters may broadly support a party but must be free to vote for someone else if they dislike the local candidate.

Why not have multiple, overlapping constituencies so that voters have a choice of who they can approach with an issue?

Greater transparency or education is required about the criteria used to define constituency borders.

Any form of voting is where the people express their sovereignty. Voting should be made easier AND more secure. Electoral fraud of any kind should be recognised as treachery and punished accordingly.

The job of MP should become attractive to those who can use it to do good, rather than those just seeking a political career. How about halving the number of MPs and doubling their funding - with their accounts published quarterly and no other sources of income permitted?

The horse-trading of coalition building that follows elections in countries that have forms of PR results in a govt that no one has voted for. There should be some form of electoral validation by voters of a proposed coalition; coalition parties should not be empowered to change the govt at whim and self party interest without facing the voters. Govt should be more representative so that we, the people, can accept it and it's perhaps unpopular actions. But not so representative that it cannot govern.

Does Menzies truly believe that his party stands the remotest chance of being elected this century.

The Labour party is enjoying its best run ever, not only as the party to contend with but also as a party that knows its onions too well in UK politics. Does the Liberal Democrats have what it takes to dislodge the party?

War is not good doing.
War is murder of human being.
So Iraq war is bad thing.
Immediately stop the Iraq war.

War is murder of human being.
Immediately stop the Iraq war.

TRIDENT - YES or NO? !

Aircraft carriers - Yes or NO?

US Star Wars missile system bases in Britain - Yes or No?

Have the Tories stolen the Lib Dems thunder on the Environment? The Lib Dems paper on the environment came out recently and was completely unreported, yet the Conservatives'paper has been reasonably well covered.

What are the Lib Dems offering us on the environment that the other parties aren't?

I am a libdem, but sometimes i wonder about the direction the party is taking. What would you say to those who claim the party is becoming an haven for the exiled far-left?

I'm 44, male, white, heterosexual and English. I'm not much of a political animal but I do like to keep abreast of things. The colour of someone's skin or their religious beliefs are of no interest to me

I feel totally disenfranchised by this country because of the way "special interest groups" seem to hold so much of the governments attention.

Too often I see examples of petty rules and regulations (health and safety being a classic example), or a wish to not be seen to upset a certain group or part of society, create a situation where normal British life is put on hold or ignored completely.

What would you do to restore my faith in this country?

Do the Lib Dems believe that to have any chance of equal opportunities there has to be a substantial redistribution of wealth and resources from the rich to the poor. If so when are the party going to produce policies which enable this to happen.

Will you explicitly rule out forming a coalition government with Gordon Brown after the next election?
If not, why not?

As a marginal and perennial third party, wont the Lib Dems always be trying to be all things to all people?

This is not a comment but is an apology. I addressed Sir Ming as "Mr. Campbell" in my question posted at 16.51. I sincerely apologise and have absolutely no idea why I was so apparently ignorant.

Question for Sir Menzies Campbell:

Is there any limit to your determination and that of your party to remove from the British people their right to govern themselves? Anything that even you would not be prepared to say or do, however ludicrous?

How will you convince myself as a Labour voter to switch to the Liberal Democrats. After all, you cannot really be taken seriously as a legitimate political party in British politics. Do you have any policies that could attract me to your party. My view is that what the Liberal Democratic Party really needs is a young, bright and honest leader that can really challenge both the Government and the Conservatives, and the same time, offer sceptical voters a real alternative.

What does The Lib Dems have in mind to what they will do for us pensioners having to struggle on a basic pension.

If the re-named EU Constitution is such a good thing for Britain, why are you going back on your support for a referendum?
It seems to me that the only reason can be that the argument for creating a United States of Europe must be so weak and flawed that you know it would be rejected by the British people in the same way that it was previously rejected by the people of France and Holland.
Please do not say that it is a different document - I have read both and they are substantively the same.

Politically, is the so-called 'middle' ground now just 'muddle' ground, seeing that parties of all political persuasions now want to claim it? How do we make sense of it? Please discuss...

And, while I have the chance, you've been the butt of blatant ageism since you've taken office.....is this a case of your party political opponents spouting equality of opportunity in their manifestos, yet resorting to cheap personal jibes when they sense an easy target?

Question for Ming Campbell
With Brown having reneged on the promise to hold a referendum, the issue has moved more onto public trust in politics and politicians. Why are you now further confirming the untrustworthiness of politicians by supporting his refusal?

Immigration is a subject at the top of most peoples' agenda. The majority of people are of the opinion that it is out of control, & that we are being 'swamped'. Are you prepared to abandon political correctness, & tackle this subject head on?

Mr Campbell
If you were elected as Prime Minister and hence a highly influential member of the Commonwealth Community, what would you do about President Mugabe?

I'm writing from the Green Party Conference in Liverpool.

If the Lib Dem promises about taking action on Climate Change are to be believed, then the attitudes of local Lib Dem led councils have to be changed.

What action will Mr Campbell take against rogue Lib Dem council leaders that promote air travel between cities in the UK instead of rail travel?

Dear Sir Ming,

How will you deal with ignorant Daily Mail-reading fools, who believe that immigrants, asylum seekers and 'Health and safety' are destroying Britain, without alienating a large proportion of the voting public, of whom they seem to represent a depressingly large part?

re#64

Ming will be able to answer this one standing on his head whilst playing the bagpipes and singing 'There'll Always Be An England' in a Scottish accent.

No doubt he will suggest allowing these 'ignorant fools' to continue to revel in their irrational opinions because after all they only represent something like a mere eighty per-cent plus of a population of sixty million.

The circulation figures of the DM are obviously grossly understated and require updating.

Would Sir Menzies have invited Lady Thatcher around for tea? Which past prime minister would he most like to have round for tea and why?

Michael Howard was a very much better leader of the conservative party than David Cameron is or is ever likely to be...

-Discuss

Given that the chances are high of a hung parliament after the next Election and you have said that you would not go into coalition with the Tories, I should Labour rather than wasting my vote on the LDs shouldn't I?
Roland

Sir Menzies Campbell.

please ask him when he is going to resign.

can' t be too soon!

Given that the chances are high of a hung parliament after the next Election and you have said that you would not go into coalition with the Tories, I should Labour rather than wasting my vote on the LDs shouldn't I?
Roland

Why are the Liberal Democrats so keen to surrender the sovereignty of our country in order to become a federal state of Europe?
Do they not think it strange that all our political parties want to be in power - only to then give that power away to the EU?

Question to Menzies Campbell

Given your performance so far as leader, are you still determined to sacrifice your party to satisfy your ego?