Lend me your ear – a little friendly advice!

Liberals will be crazy to openly or otherwise stop Lembit Opik from standing for the nomination of London Mayor.

First because it is un-liberal, how can they call themselves open minded with the one hand and act in such a narrow minded manner on the other? Secondly, only a few months ago, Opik had the party’s blessing and endorsement when he stood on a LibDem manifesto on a platform with Clegg and the other MPs. But most of all he‘s a celebrity – just look at our current mayor! The conservatives, short of an X-Factor style contest looked all over London for a personality before finding Boris and it wasn’t his capabilities that got him the nomination – although he has now proved to be able and very capable to manage London – Boris is a personality and the most headline generator of all the other prospects.

Lembit Opik might not be everybody’s cup of tea but rarely is anyone. The liberals fighting against his candidacy based on anything besides him committing a serious crime will only backfire on their faces.

As our coalition partners I plead with you, don’t add wood to the fire, let Mr Opik go through the process and even support him to win the nomination. In the current political climate you desperately need a candidate that will help the party cultivate some positive headlines – I have a feeling Mr Opik might just be that person.