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THAILAND - Amid resounding criticism of his party's recent under-achievement, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would be ready to step down if his party members desire this.

The Democrats have been criticised recently for their inability to be a credible alternative to Pheu Thai Party, especially among the rural poor, and part of the blame was placed on Abhisit's leadership capabilities. Some critics have suggested the party needs a new leader to boost its popularity.

"However, any change in leadership will have to come through the party members. The leader can be changed if the Democrat Party members feel they need a change. I'm trying to do the best I can," Abhisit said.

He has led the party since 2005, but it has never won a general election under his leadership. In fact, the party's performance was dismal in the 2011 election compared to the one on 2009. After the disappointing results in 2011, Abhisit decided to step down but was re-elected as leader again.

Though his term will end this year, it is not likely that the party will be able to get together to elect new executives or a new leader as no political gatherings are allowed under martial law.

The party's failure in 2011 was largely due to its inability to reach the rural poor, especially in the Northeast, where Pheu Thai's populist policies drew significant support.

However, Abhisit defended the Democrats, saying: "I have to uphold the party's stance and principles that may be disliked by some and may create obstacles for us. But we have kept the party alive and people now view us as being different from others.

"Pheu Thai's most popular policies were the rice-pledging scheme and the increase in minimum wages. I refused to propose such policies, because I believe they would bring damage to the country."

As for his party's strategy for the next general election - scheduled by the military junta for October 2015 - he said the focus would be on areas where vote margins are small.

He said the Democrats can still win in the North, South and Central regions, but it would take time for his party to become popular in the Northeast, much like it would take time for Pheu Thai to gain popularity in the South.

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Abhisit ready to be replaced if party members want that

JEFFERSON CITY Republican Tom Schweich has amassed a million-dollar war chest in his bid for re-election as state auditor.

But he doesnt need it. No Democrat is challenging him.

In the race for Missouris only statewide office on the Nov. 4 ballot, Schweich faces token opposition, from Libertarian and Constitution Party candidates. That means he can sock away his campaign treasury for future elections, including a possible bid for governor in 2016.

Odd as it sounds, some Democrats hope he does run for governor.

Their likely gubernatorial nominee, Attorney General Chris Koster, would benefit from a divisive Republican slugfest. And Republican Catherine Hanaway of St. Louis County, a former prosecutor and House speaker, has already announced she is running for governor.

I personally can see no harm coming if Catherine Hanaway and Tom Schweich spend a million dollars bashing each other, said Roy Temple, chairman of the Missouri Democratic Party.

Schweich said he is focused on the auditors race and helping other Republicans in key contests this year. He is mum about his interest in running for governor, other than to say that Democrats should watch out what you wish for.

In just four years, Schweich, 54, has vaulted up the political ladder.

The Clayton lawyer has gone from being a political novice at odds with his party to being the partys standard-bearer, his bright blue signs adorning Missouri Republican Party headquarters.

Known for his tenacious personality, he thrives on the auditors role of ferreting out wrongdoing, holding news conferences to trumpet his findings and returning several months later to see if his recommendations are in use.

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Easy re-election campaign for auditor prompts talk of governor's race

Last June, Parliament was rocked by one of its periodic lobbying scandals; Lord Laird resigned his Ulster Unionist Party whip, and the Tory Patrick Mercer eventually left his seat and triggered a by-election, after being caught up in a cash-for-questions row. Nick Clegg, wearing his serious face, told this newspaper that he wasn't surprised by the allegations, and it was time for a register of lobbyists to prevent it all happening again.

It wasn't a new idea: in the original Coalition agreement in 2010, Clegg's party had pledged such a register. But the Mercer/Laird business put a new fire into Lib Dem hearts, and Clegg pushed boldly forward.

That was 16 months ago. How's it coming along, Nick?

In the 2010 Coalition agreement, Clegg and the Lib Dems promised that they would support boundary reforms which would make the parliamentary constituency system less rigged in Labour's favour; Clegg said that the reforms were important for democracy. Then they threw a gigantic tantrum, refusing to support the boundary reforms, after the Conservatives themselves refused to support Lib Dem plans to refashion the House of Lords. "The Conservative Party is not honouring the commitment to Lords reform and, as a result, part of our contract has now been broken," said Nick, perhaps adding "and they started it, Mummy," under his breath.

This was the biggie, really. Nick Clegg, wearing his serious face, signed a pledge ahead of the 2010 election not to raise tuition fees. He really, really meant it, too. Then, in November 2010, barely six months after that election, he and his party signed up to Conservative plans to allow universities to charge up to 9,000 a year. Perhaps predictably, students rioted, with the pleasingly straightforward chant "Nick Clegg, we know you, you're a f***ing Tory too," to the tune of "This Old Man".

A small gathering of a few thousand of Nick Clegg's closest friends, in November 2010

And Nick, wearing his serious face again, apologised, doing that almost-tearful thing he does when he's been caught out. The apology got remixed in various forms, entered the charts, and made history as an internet meme. (Clegg is unusual among politicians in having two memes. The other is "Nick Clegg Looking Sad", which he does a lot, especially when he has to apologise for a broken promise, which he does a lot.)

For a man who breaks a lot of promises, you might think it would be unwise to promise "no more broken promises". But Nick did that, while wearing his serious face. We think it's reasonable to say that he has not been 100 per cent successful at keeping those promises. Labour noticed this, and made the above video earlier this year - which frankly we feel could be rather funnier than it is, but no one went into politics because they were good at comedy.

BONUS PROMISE and hopefully, this will be one he does keep: Nick insists he'd rather "go to bed" with Miriam - his wife - than Ed Miliband or David Cameron. Which you'd hope, really.

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Liberal Democrat conference: the many broken promises of Nick Clegg

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aka "The Hammer," and former Texas congressman joins Steve to discuss how he was found not guilty of money laundering and conspiracy charges by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

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