Following clashes at the latest Lib-Lab meeting featuring Ed Balls as the unforgiving stone faced socialist that would not give any concessions on the Labour manifesto, it looks as if Nick Clegg is coming close to a deal with the Conservative party today. Maybe he realised that doing a deal with a party that refuses to make cuts in order to raise spending money isn’t going to fulfil any of his manifesto promises.
In addition, the Sky News helicopter is showing luggage being loaded into a vehicle at Downing Street amidst complementary reports suggesting Gordon Brown is about to resign not just from his position as Prime Minister, but from politics altogether. It is said he just wants to “get it over with”.
This would mean Harriet Harperson taking control of the Labour party until a new leader is elected: note that as Deputy Leader, she cannot stand for the leadership position. Contenders being touted include Ed Miliband, David Miliband and Ed Balls.
Ed Miliband: next Labour leader?
It is being suggested that Nick Clegg may be the new Home Secretary and that the popular Vince Cable will not be the Chancellor of the Exchequer but more likely will take over from Peter Mandelson as the Business Secretary. Positions will also be sought for the likes of Chris Huhne, and Tory education guru Michael Gove has offered to fall on his sword if it means a deal can be completed.
In terms of policy compromise, the Tories have thus far offered a referendum on the Alternative Vote, and reportedly a “three year deal” has been agreed, comprising of three budgets. One can only speculate how that is going to work. One certainty is education reform and the disposal of ID cards.
It seems very likely now that Call me Dave will be the next Prime Minister, with an all-male cabinet.
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I have been checking up on the news at work today as I was in a panic yesterday the Lib Dems were going to sell out and do a deal with Liebour which is the worst case scenario from my point of view. But thankfully now it looks as though talks with Liebour have broken down, hooray. I really do feel a Con-Lib coaltion is the only way forward for now.
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I agree no more ID cards, no more Harriet harman, end of PC culture?
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Its over DC is now the PM.
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Just watching the news and its near enough a done deal between the Conservatives and Lib Dems, come on tonight could bring two very good pieces of news;
1. A Con-Lib coalition freezing Labour out full stop
2. Blackpool FC make the play-off finals at Wembley. I am not really a football fan I must admit but I am throwing my support behind my local team as they are doing very well. UP THE POOL!!!!
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Yup, both would be just splendid. I will be watching the football, going to take up my seat on the settee shortly!
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Fantastic result, Blackpool are on the way to Wembley, congratulations BFC.
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I know a lot of people thought Clegg was well out of order talking to the Labour party and should have just gone with the Conservatives I think until we know what deal has been done we don’t know if Clegg has done the right thing (from a LD point of view). I voted for LD because I thought that they would be the best party to represent my views.
1 I thought the LD economic polices are better then the Cons
2 I thought that trident is a waste of time.
3 I thought that nuclear power is over rated.
Now the press said all these subjects were non-negotiable with the Cons so in my view I could not see how Clegg could do a deal with them.
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At least two of those conflict with Labour as well though, so maybe Clegg thought it better to be in with some influence than look bad by being unable to negotiate with either party.
I think with the Tories, their plan for cuts/taxes frees up some money whereas Labour are running on empty all the time. This means some Lib Dem manifesto promises could potentially be met with a LibCon coalition, whereas its unlikely any would with Labour.
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I suppose Harriet Harridans PC positive discrimnation law will now be bined?
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Wouldn’t have thought so. LibCon love PC.
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Bastards!!!
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I take your point BUT I felt, and perhaps they have done, when you go into a partnership they would be some give and take and what I read in the papers (and they may not be true) Dave ruled out any discussion on these subjects.
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Maybe he did, but remember the Liberal Democrats are the smallest party so you can’t expect either Labour or the Tories to concede their entire manifesto to the Lib Dems in order to grasp power.
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I don’t think Clegg was out of order talking to the Labour party (though if that had led to a coalition I wouldn’t have been one bit happy) – what was out of order though that he did so in the middle of talks with the Conservatives (which were going well) without telling the Conservatives he was doing so. Fair enough that he was having pressure within his own party for those talks – he should just have been honest about them. Time will tell if this was just a one-off lapse of judgement. For the country’s sake I hope so.
As for policies there have been serious concessions to Lib Dem ideas – which with the number of seats they held seem very generous and which the Lib Dems would not otherwise have had any chance of seeing.
Lets hope the fact that they aren’t ideologically the same leads to a tempering in those extreme policies we tend to see that turn out to be disasters. The Lib Dems in particular have to hope this coalition works – because it gives them experience of real government and if it fails it shows that proportional representation is a bad idea. Had they had to form a coalition with Labour though I think they would have been double-crossed at every turn. It’s the trickery (and bribery in their areas of strong support) that Nu Labour has employed that I’ve hated so much about them.
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Harriet harridan is now labour leader, thats should kep em out for the next decade, lol
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It certainly should, it has just hit me this second this now means that slimy and smarmy MPs like Andy Burnham, Ed Balls and the Miliband Bros are OUT of the Cabinet, good riddance to bad rubbish I couldn’t be happier. One thing I am looking forward to is seeing who the next chancellor is; my guess is Vince Cable or Ken Clarke possibly George Osbourne.
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Vince would be the ideal choice.
First thing that DC needs to:
STOP THE POLLITTS/STOKES/YUSUFS/MGRAWLEYS BENEFITS!
Dave, can I be social security minister please?
I promise to make massive savings and make welfareism, a thing of the past.
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I’ve literally just read George Osbourne has been confirmed as Chancellor and William Hague as Foreign Secretary with more announcements yet to follow. Vince Cable and Ken Clarke will hopefully get top treasury posts.
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TB as special advisor,to remove welfareism
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I would love a job like that, although I feel it would be your perfect job Harold sorting out this ridiculous welfare system. My ideal portfolio would be health, anyone can do better than that smarmy Andy Burnham.
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Apparently Dave’s welfare reforms are still on the table so benefits will be cut for those that wont work!
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What a GOOD GUESS, wish I had your insight ( YAWN)
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What an interesting comment.
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David Laws @ Education, Paddy Ashdown @ defence, Vince as Business Sec, Nick as Deputy PM.
looks like Dave agreed with Nick too!
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thank fook no more mandelson at least!
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Well said, another Labour sleazebag I forgot about.
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He’s said in the past he would work for a Tory government though! Remember he’s not elected so he could be brought back any time by anyone!
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so basicly u love him phil ++
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No
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