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Nick Clegg to co-host LBC radio show in attempt to woo voters Nick Clegg to co-host LBC radio show in attempt to woo voters
(about 7 hours later)
Nick Clegg is stepping up his efforts to revive his personal approval ratings by agreeing to appear on a weekly phone-in on London's LBC radio station.Nick Clegg is stepping up his efforts to revive his personal approval ratings by agreeing to appear on a weekly phone-in on London's LBC radio station.
The first one-hour slot, entitled Call Clegg, will air on Thursday at 6pm. It will be the first time such a senior UK government figure has agreed to a weekly grilling by listeners. The first 30 minute slot, entitled Call Clegg, will air on Thursday at 9am. It will be the first time such a senior UK government figure has agreed to a weekly grilling by listeners.
The Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister has the worst personal rating of the three main leaders. His party is at 9%-14% in the polls, behind Ukip, which appears to have supplanted the Lib Dems as the natural party of general political protest.The Liberal Democrat leader and deputy prime minister has the worst personal rating of the three main leaders. His party is at 9%-14% in the polls, behind Ukip, which appears to have supplanted the Lib Dems as the natural party of general political protest.
Clegg has taken to sending a weekly email to party members, and believes direct communication with voters will allow his message to be heard. He has fewer natural platforms than the prime minister, and largely detests deputy prime minister's questions, during which he has faced a barrage of abuse by Labour MPs and some Tories.Clegg has taken to sending a weekly email to party members, and believes direct communication with voters will allow his message to be heard. He has fewer natural platforms than the prime minister, and largely detests deputy prime minister's questions, during which he has faced a barrage of abuse by Labour MPs and some Tories.
Clegg said of his radio show: "I'm doing this because I don't think politicians get to hear enough from people directly. You can't do the right thing in government unless you keep in touch with how people are thinking and feeling.Clegg said of his radio show: "I'm doing this because I don't think politicians get to hear enough from people directly. You can't do the right thing in government unless you keep in touch with how people are thinking and feeling.
"Nick Ferrari is known as the interviewer that all politicians fear. He can be very tough but he's generally fair, very well-informed, and I hope we'll make a good combination for the show we're doing together.""Nick Ferrari is known as the interviewer that all politicians fear. He can be very tough but he's generally fair, very well-informed, and I hope we'll make a good combination for the show we're doing together."
In the US there is a long tradition of weekly radio broadcasts by the president, but the often confrontational live phone-in format will be different and prove demanding of Clegg. But Clegg's aides believe he is a good communicator, as demonstrated by the election TV debates, and will thrive in such a testing format.In the US there is a long tradition of weekly radio broadcasts by the president, but the often confrontational live phone-in format will be different and prove demanding of Clegg. But Clegg's aides believe he is a good communicator, as demonstrated by the election TV debates, and will thrive in such a testing format.
The move evokes memories of Tony Blair's somewhat masochist strategy, in which the Labour prime minister toured TV studios, including many hostile live audience debate shows, in an attempt to cut through a negative media filter and make his case.The move evokes memories of Tony Blair's somewhat masochist strategy, in which the Labour prime minister toured TV studios, including many hostile live audience debate shows, in an attempt to cut through a negative media filter and make his case.
The assumption is that many listeners give politicians credit for at least subjecting themselves to such tough questioning, and can even sympathise with the politician if the tone of questions borders on the discourteous to rude.The assumption is that many listeners give politicians credit for at least subjecting themselves to such tough questioning, and can even sympathise with the politician if the tone of questions borders on the discourteous to rude.
Lib Dem strategists have previously tried breaking down the wall of distrust and scepticism surrounding Clegg by issuing a video apology last September after he broke his pre-election pledge to vote against any rise in tuition fees. The unusual step, later lampooned to music, appears to have failed as his popularity ratings remain dire.Lib Dem strategists have previously tried breaking down the wall of distrust and scepticism surrounding Clegg by issuing a video apology last September after he broke his pre-election pledge to vote against any rise in tuition fees. The unusual step, later lampooned to music, appears to have failed as his popularity ratings remain dire.
• This article was amended on 7 January 2012 to correct the broadcast time