Liberal Democrats: what is the point of playing the game just like everyone else?

Four years ago, Liberal Democrats fought a General Election campaign on the basis that we would be different - not just in terms of ideas, but in terms of the way government was done. In a country weary with a Labour administration which seemed perpetually to be on the edge of internecine war, and with the recent experience of an expenses scandal that had almost overwhelmed the House of Commons, the idea of a new, more open, more transparent way of doing politics resonated with some people. It didn't have to be like that.

And, unexpectedly for many, a hung parliament came to pass, and Liberal Democrats took their place within a Coalition administration. I had some optimism that, even though the reform agenda was going to be difficult to implement, we might be different about the way politics was now done.

I have to say, I'm a bit disappointed.

We tend to try to placate the media, even though most of them didn't like us, and possibly never will - we ruin their carefully cultivated binary coverage of X against Y, left against right. And we know that - we say it often enough. So, why not instead talk about our ideas, the areas of difference with the Conservatives, not in terms of "we're stopping the evil Tories from doing Z", but, our policy is to do J and we'll talk to other parties to see if we can reach some mutually acceptable compromise. That's the transparent, liberal thing to do. No, you can't provide a running commentary on the negotiations, but you can lay out the framework within which the discussions are taking place, and report back on the outcome.

But, it does depend on avoiding the cloak and dagger stuff. Did you really not see that document before it was published? If so, say so, if not, don't. Don't agree to something and then pretend that, no, you actually don't. Don't get yourself in a position whereby one Parliamentary Party says one thing and the other another. It's all too easy for people to work that out - remember how useful the internet is for looking up stuff? Like past speeches?

Anonymous briefings from 'senior Liberal Democrat sources'? They can go too. If you intend to say something, say it, don't try and hide behind 'deniability' - we'll respect you for it. Engage with your opponents, don't just exchange unpleasantries. I know that Labour don't have that many answers, but why not ask them to outline their alternative? Listen, they might have valuable input and, if they do, give them some credit.

In short, run our end of the Coalition like you would if you were running the show on your own, even if the Conservatives aren't willing to do likewise. Because the media will make it up anyway if they want to shaft you. They'll look for slight areas of uncertainty or difference of emphasis and, if they can't find them, they'll invent some. They really don't like us.

We talk a good game about collaborative government, where different political groups come together for the common good. If we don't practice it, who else will?