Similarly, and especially in light of the
alleged strength of their disapproval, it is noticeable that it was the
peripheral, and quite possibly expendable, Chris Huhne who reportedly did a
sheep-worrying number on Cameron during a “businesslike” cabinet
meeting.
According to the Guardian, Huhne reportedly
interrupted the PM twice during the meeting. As earth-shattering as this
appalling break with convention may appear, it is a measure of Clegg’s
desperation to regain ground that he subsequently gave the Energy Secretary the nod to go
ahead and reveal particulars of cabinet proceedings.
Some outraged senior tories are said to be urging a
similar breach of protocol through the release of details discussed by Cameron and
Clegg on possible veto actions prior to last Friday. The text is said to
provide a significantly different account from what the deputy PM has been
telling his parliamentary party.
Matters are far from a total breakdown in civilities but it could get worse on several other european related fronts as economic growth continues to nosedive. Party managers will be reminding their respective leaders on the wisdom at such difficult times of talking up the coalition in public and talking each other down in private.
Both partners will have noted however that the latest YouGov
Sun poll shows the tories with a 2 point lead over Labour for the first
time in yonks. (Con 41, Lab 39, Lib Dem 10, Other 10). They will also have spotted that the survey did not include
any specific references to Cameron’s stance over Europe.
Cameron and his aides may feel that this is an advantage worth exploiting if the trend of mild jingoism continues to gain popularity. Clegg on the other hand looks likely to remain stuck with the burden of appearing uncooperative but nonetheless complicit in all the government's doings. The party of protest looks decidedly lost.
Update: More on those polls from Nick Robinson.
Update: More on those polls from Nick Robinson.
2 Comments:
Clegg has been badly wrong-footed by Cameron. There has never been a party leader more ill-equipped for the twists of coalition government. Lib Dems should expect something better from the man at the top.
Good post,
And for all the Lib Dem hand wringing over the past few days, few expect the Coalition to fall apart which tells you all you need to know.
The Lib Dems are happy to stay on in Government and moan endlessly to the press rather than stand up for something they are supposed to believe in and tell the Tories where to go.
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