Automated Attack Monkeys, Scalpel Mines, & Acid

Oh, it's absolutely perception. Part of the reason I wrote the lengthy reply was to make things clearer in my head and try to put the arguments down well as I need to get used to making them over the next few years, especially in 2014/2015 where it'll really actually matter again.

It's also a matter of priorities--for me, a top priority is voting reform, and I want STV, but I've always thought we'd never get that in one go, so wanted AV early as it's easy to implement. STV for the reformed Lords is also very near the top of my priority list, as was, for example, scrapping ID cards, the issue that got me back involved in frontline politics again back in 2006. They're dead and gone now, no longer an issue, but they would've been a contentious one if any form of Labour coalition had formed,possibly even a deal breaker on their own.

may be underestimating how much of your popularity hinged on the pledge

I'm not, I assure you. Whichis why it's essential we try to get the defence of that decision right--I truly belive without LDs in Govt Fees would be set at 12K+, possibly completely uncapped, and I'm not sure we'd be getting maintenance grantsback or the rise in the repayment threshold through.

It was a big issue for me, and I'm pissed off, but I'm mostly pissed off at the way the leadership, especially Vince, handled it in the early stages--they could so easily have sold £6K/£9K as a major concession from the Tories instead of making it look like a sellout, but that's spilt milk.

And yes, agree with your last para--I think it would have failed, it might have come closer, but get it out of the way and it stops being an issue for a few elections, so you can concentrate on the actual issues. But, again, spilt milk, both leaders are gone, and lessons are learnt.

(locally in Calderdale we're in coalition with LAbour, the leader of the group defected from us acrimonoiously over a decade ago, but many local members have still not forgiven him--but it's understood as a business arrangement and the best option available, which is good, I thought we'd get more problems than we did over it TBH)