Peering down the wrong end of the telescope

There is probably a dossier on Lib Dem peer Lord Carlile somewhere in party HQ with an overall assessment of “unhelpful”. And it is the same vein that the barrister and President of the Howard League for Penal Reform told the media that he expects differences over the sentencing of rioters to “cause difficulties” within the UK coalition government.

His view is that some ministers and politicians were grandstanding and should not interfere with the courts. Conservatives and Lib Dems would soon fall out over the issue, he contended.

Whatever the prospects of a contretemps, it’s worth noting that the Independent on Sunday reports how Conservative support has actually strengthened to its highest level since October last year. According to the paper, a poll conducted by ComRes appears to have “reinforced support for the traditional party of law and order”. Tory support is up two points since last month to 38 per cent, just two points behind Labour on 40 per cent. The Liberal Democrats are up one point on 11 per cent.

Given these trends, Cameron – who patently now favours hanging hoodies rather than hugging them – will undoubtedly consider further “creative tension” among his cabinet as a small price to pay for improved popularity. At the very least it will provide a respite from questions over his employment of Any Coulson.

Whether this hardening of attitude prompts Nick Clegg to jump in any particular direction on the issue is seen by many as an irrelevance. The deputy PM is shrewd enough to realise that being regarded in affected constituencies as soft on crime is hardly the best outcome.

Someone should tell his lordship.