I find it amusing that the Lib Dems are doing much better without Nick Clegg than when he was supposedly the "most popular" party leader. I have no idea if they've veered left or right lately. When Tony Blair was in power, they tried to position themselves as the progressive left-wing alternative, when Cameron was in power they joined the "Conservative" government so who knows? It would be hard to run to the left of that kook Corbyn and I doubt they will pick up any disgruntled conservatives.
On side note, shouldn't the "Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy" coalition (all the anti-EU parties that agree with Brexit) refuse to take their seats out of "principle" like the secessionist parties in Scotland and Ireland do when they win seats in the UK Parliament? Seems a bit hypocritical... "we MUST get out of the EU... but I'm not giving us my job there and cushy salary!"
And donate their salaries to charity. But they don’t do that. I wonder why...
Clegg was only ever “popular” because he was a third option who’s party hadn’t been in power and thus hadn’t pissed anybody off. I think Nutter Green Leader in Canada, Elizabeth May, is popular for the same reason.
I’d say on everything expect for Europe, Lib Dems are clearly to the right of Labour and always were expect maybe under Blair when they tacked left and anti-war in an effort to win votes from the empty political space when Blair moved Labour to the center (taking their territory).
They seem to me to be the natural home for non-commie Labourites (non commie Labour in the 80’s formed the Social Democrats which joined the Liberals to form the Lib Dems) who can’t stomach Corbyn (who is trying to have it both ways on Brexit to keep the Labour Leave vote which is significant) AND pro-EU One Nation Cuckservatives too (not much difference between those “Tories” and the Lib Dems anyway). Both Corybn and Brexit (Tory civil war) should be a godsend to them.
Up till now I was surprised they weren’t doing better. I wondered why those disgruntled Labour (and a couple Tories too) MPS tried to form their own stupid party (which just flopped big time and is now talking merger) with the same platform rather than just joining them.
As for anti-EU MEPs, no I think they should fight the power from the inside. Not taking their seats in Westminster has done jack for Sinn Fein, if they took their seats now it might be enough to vote down the government. Their salaries are a drop in the bucket.
Sinn Fein is the only party not to take their seats in Parliament BTW, The Scottish Nationalist Party damn well does.