Reply #9: No, I don't think many of them would ever switch

[muriel_volestrangler]

'traditional' Labour has a lot of loyalty to its roots. The Lib Dems were formed from the Liberals (very old party - used to be the Whigs in the 18th and 19th century, and one of the 2 'parties of government' until the 1920s), and the Social Democratic Party - which was formed by some centralist Labour members in the early 80s. So some of the left of Labour may still consider the Lib Dems as deserters.

Personally I prefer the Lib Dems to traditional Labour - but if I was in a constituency where it was a choice between Labour and the Tories, I'd be quite happy voting for an 'old' Labour candidate. Comparing Lib Dem to 'official' Labour domestic policy, the Lib Dems want to introduce a top rate of income tax of 50% for earnings above £100,000, and spend it on health; they want a local income tax to replace the banded property tax used now; and tend more towards social freedom, and better environmental policies.