Coalition grumblings from the Tory dispossessed
Chatted to a few Tory MPs this morning who are feeling distinctly queasy about yesterday’s grand launch of the new coalition. Some close to Cameron talk of it as a “Clause 4 moment” for the modernising project. “Clause 4 squared” one of them said. Some Tory MPs say it is doomed and the line “till debt us do part” (on the front of The Independent) captured it for one I spoke to.
The best scenario, the doomsters say, is that when it collapses the Conservatives end up capturing some of the more economically liberal of the Lib Dems and thereby decapitating a party that rivals them in councils and constituencies round the country.
One Tory said: “They’re pavement politicians, they’ll run when the first A&E goes,” (revealing on many levels perhaps. Some Tories talk about how they might gobble up the Liberal Democrats or diminish them in some way.
The analogies they use are the post-1945 revival of Conservatism in opposition when Churchill hoovered up Liberals. The other analogy is the Liberal Unionist party struck up in 1886. “I knew Joseph Chamberlain, John Hemming, and you’re no Joseph Chamberlain.”
There’s another segment of the Conservative parliamentary party that is simply baffled. Nick Clegg and David Cameron at yesterday’s press conference said their two parties would carry on campaigning against each other. But one Tory MP said it was more likely they wouldn’t, something more like the Coupon Election of 1918.
These are, I should emphasise, conversations with the dispossessed. Those who haven’t had “the call to office” and think they may now never get it.
To deal with all this, the Tory leadership (and the Lib Dem one I hear) have acknowledged they have to get out and about much more amongst their parliamentary troops in this administration, keep them alongside, get to know them better than they necessarily have done in the past, improve access. We shall see.
There are 12 comments on this post
“One Tory said: “They’re pavement politicians, they’ll run when the first A&E goes,” (revealing on many levels perhaps. Some Tories talk about how they might gobble up the Liberal Democrats or diminish them in some way.”
This sums up what I fear about this coalition . . I fear it will do long term damage to the Lib Dems . . they finally emerged from the political wilderness and now . . . well I fear for the Lib Dems . . .
I think they should have let the Tories go it alone.
I agree that the Libdems should have let the Tories go it alone. They could have agreed to a ‘loosely coupled’ arrangement with the Tories allowing them to support or oppose as and when Libdems felt it was justified. They have thrown away their options and are now on a one way street. Better to have ‘cohabited’ rather than get into a binding ‘matrimonial’ arrangement. A ‘strategic error’ i feel, that will perhaps bite them in the glutes later. Time will tell.
Gary it is far too early for such comments.We have and are stuck with until the next election a coalition .Some journalist had to start putting the woodworm into the Oak Cabinet , hoping for it to crumble .I would expect it from a Daily Mirror journalist but not from yourself, before we have even got to the Queen’s speech and a program of government
The ‘clause 4 moment’ is a good analogy, I think. The progressives amongst the Cons aligning themselves with the left of the Libs, a progressive Lab rump – not under David Miliband, of course – and some of the independents.
Would you please interview Caroline Lucas? The election of the first Green is not to be ignored.
And how was the decision on the 55% vote required for a mid-term election in the new 5-year fixed-term parliaments reached? Would welcome your comments. Understand dissolution to date required only a majority vote.
Ok so its not ideal – but what result would the MSM have been happy with? Ask the questions by all means but dont talk it down before the new Government has had a chance. Would you really like more years of Labour or a minority Tory Governement. Gary its too easy to take the p.ss. By all means challenge/question what they propose but dont create problems that dont exist YET.
Why are people getting upset with this? Fair comment based on tory sources. We’re stuck with them, doesn’t mean anybody has to like, except of course for those of you that were conned by the conservatives
Alex, conned in what way????
I agree with Gary…to coin a phrase.
By the way i think that you should be on the telly much more with Jon after this all settles down.
I agree. Give the new government a chance. If it fails, like the man in the arena, may it fail nobly. Constructive criticism is healthy, lets keep it constructive.
Anyone who could countenance another 5 years of Labour must be keen of a treat.
Let the dice fall as they will.
The Liberal Democrates are finished. RIP.
What a load of rubbish these comments are, for gods sake allow the Lib-Dems & Conservatives to get moving, they have 13years of wasted Taxes and promises to contened with.
What an utter load of rubbish these comments are, for god sake allow the Lib-Dems & Conservatives to get going,
It’s a pity you all allowed Brown to take over; we’ve had 13 years of wasted funds, lost promises and Ministers and M Ps who should have all been taken to court and made to pay back in full. (Hiararchy Corruption) we wouldn’t be dismissed. —–Barbara (F.A.C.T.)