There has been a constant strand of commentary along the lines: this is the election to lose. Show me the Party that adopts that thinking ! Not Labour, for one. And Gordon Brown will no more step down until he is forcibly ejected; emphasis on force. Mandelson and Campbell never stop plotting, never stop briefing, never stop fielding people for the TV studios with carefully rehearsed lines-to-take. This is in stark contrast to the remarkably disciplined and discreet manner in which the Con-Lib negotiations have been taking place - no leaks, no briefing, no unseemly rush to the cameras. It almost conjures up an era before 'spin' meant anything other than cricket-balls and washing-machine cycles.
If I were Clegg, Huhne or Laws, the sight of Campbell and Adonis spinning away the evening hours on TV would convince me that alignment with Labour is a non-starter. Imagine having to trust such people day-to-day.
On Sunday I attended a very large gathering of Conservatives. Notwithstanding all the sniping and probing from the likes of Fraser Nelson and other ultras, all the talk was of hope - hope that the Deal can be Done. Obviously, minority government is an option; and tactics for a short period in opposition to a 'Rainbow Coalition' wouldn't be difficult to execute.
But the Deal's the thing, and I rather imagine it will happen.
ND
Footnote - as Nick Robinson has just pointed out, Campbell - unelected; Mandelson - unelected; Adonis - unelected ...
3 comments:
Blues have put AV on the table.
Did you hear the Lib Dem first time voters getting all upset about having to be in a coalition.
"I voted for a Liberal Democrat government. That was what I expected to get."
Sweet in a way.
My fav from a PB flame up where old hippies are up in arms over a deal with Thatcher's children
“I haven’t been a lifelong supporter of PR only to compromise with my political opponents!”
Tories are too arrogant in their coalition negotiations.........
...... unlike the LibDems, of course .....
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