Anthony Barnett (London, OK): I went to the RSA with Guy Aitchison to watch the first hustings between Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne the two candidates for the leadership of the Lib-Dems. I found myself sitting next to Lord William Goodhart who was cheerfully addressed from behind by a familiar voice saying "we are all Liberals here with one one or two exceptions" and I received a friendly but pointed slap on the back from the somewhat less lordly Tim Clement-Jones.
The two candidates were moderated by the striking Benn Ram, editor of The Liberal. The RSA said they will make it available on line. The two were quite evenly matched. Clegg opened saying there is an "epidemic of powerlessness" but for this very reason that we had to start where people are at. Huhne had just issued his manifesto for a Liberal revolution and emphasised the need to be radical and anti-establishment. They were both feeling their way, with Clegg the more nervous at first. I asked a question about why they didn't foreground as one part of their appeal the need for a democratic constitution, especially now that the campaign for a referendum on the European Constitution Treaty had made the issue part of popular feeling. Neither agreed. They both insisted on the importance of taking a holistic approach to reforming the constitution now it was falling apart, but both feared the reaction of saying so. Huhne made the best joke, saying the only room that would agree about the need to reform process and not just outcomes would be a room full of liberals. I am going to try and get the film of the exchange and get back to them because what they were saying was in effect, 'Yes, we both want a constitutional revolution but no you can't say this as the public can't understand the point'. Any help or comments on this much appreciated.
PS: There was also a very strong emphasis on the environment and support for Europe. Encouraged by Ramm, they were asked if they should change the name of the party back to 'Liberal' and Huhne made the excellent reply that he'd support such a move only after Britain became a democracy.
PPS: Differences. They differed on Trident. It became technical but the while Clegg said he wanted to keep so Britain could lead the world into total disarmament, a traditional we can have it both-ways British trope, Huhne said a clear no to its replacement. Silences: no discussion of Scotland, no mention of immigration.
