steepholm: (Default)
steepholm ([personal profile] steepholm) wrote2010-05-09 11:00 am
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The Path Not Taken

So the Lib Dems are talking to the Tories about forming a coalition - one of my nightmare scenarios. Still more worryingly, Clegg is making noises about the need to provide "good government in a time of economic crisis", which sounds rather as if he's being seduced away from what should be his number one demand, electoral reform. PR is his for the taking, if he can keep his eyes on the prize. But if he passes it up now in favour of being a member of an austerity government, he'll not get another chance.

ETA: After today's negotiations, Cameron's team reported that the LibDems were 'serious' people conducting 'grown-up' negotiations. I read that as code for 'Electoral reform is waaaay down the agenda'.

[identity profile] hafren.livejournal.com 2010-05-09 11:02 am (UTC)(link)
He'd have to carry a proportion of the party with him first, no? So if they do buy the snake oil there'll be others to blame than him. I agree he really can't settle for anything less than a pledge on PR. But if the Observer's alleged memo on Europe from Hague is pukka, I don't see how Clegg can go with that anyway.