Labour Exit

Whatever the outcome of the talks, this Blog now takes a position. A deal with Labour cannot work. The party is in some disarray, speaking with many voices, not even united in the desire to stay on. There appears to have been no attempt to consult the MP’s or any part of the party’s organisation. Without the numbers this would be a disaster. Labour now has to go into dry dock for a refit.

The Lib Dems have consulted their party’s organisation at all points and the Tories likewise their MPs. More of this tonight. One thing we now know for sure. David Cameron will be Prime Minister by the end of tomorrow. The only question to be answered is whether it will be a coalition with the Lib Dems or a minority confidence and supply arrangement. Any government is safe until at least the autumn, when Labour gets a new leader. It cannot fight an election without one.

I doubt that even history will ever agree about Gordon Brown. He can gain comfort from the knowledge that his party gained 400 new councillors last Thursday and took control of 14 councils. That is a good straw to have in the wind. He may feel the  need to clutch it tightly.