sour grapes?

[beorhthelm]

is is just me, or are the Labour fans really not happy that they were turned down in favour of the Tories, who presented a better progressive agenda the Liberals could work with?

 

[Chicken Runner61]

Some are obviously but you are forgetting that this "better progressive agenda" has been drawn up five days from a point where they were sworn enemies.

Now suddenly they can work together and are bride and groom? Marry in haste repent at leisure!

I have a hunch that Labour were in two minds that they actually wanted the job for a while. Im certain that Cameron was desperate to get PM and that for Clegg it turned a disasterous election result into a small victory.

 

[Pantani]

On the contrary, most Labour supporters should be very happy with this result. I know I am (that being said I voted Green, or communist for you HB&B). Senior Labour politicians warned against forming a coalition with the Lib Dems and some time in oppositon while electoral reform goes through will be good for Labour.

 

[GNF on Tour]

is is just me,

yes

 

[Gwylan]

Like Pantani, I voted Green but I posted some days ago that a Con/LD coalition would be good for Labour. They can regroup under a new leader and watch while the other two parties play the blame game.

Judging by the comments made by the Lib Dem negotiating team, it sounds like the Labour party also took the view that they were better out of it.

 

[beorhthelm]

ah, i see. Labour didnt really want to stay on after all and offered the Lib Dems such a poor deal deliberatly to put them off. presumbably they didnt do too well in the election deliberatly too.

 

[Gwylan]

ah, i see. Labour didnt really want to stay on after all and offered the Lib Dems such a poor deal deliberatly to put them off. presumbably they didnt do too well in the election deliberatly too.

Eh? I don't understand that; of course, they wanted to do well in the election.

But reading several press reports, from papers from both sides of the political spectrum, it's clear that there was much unhappiness in Labour ranks at the prospect of a deal with the Lib Dems (and others), causing all sorts of logistical problems, Couple this with the fact that a party clinging on to power and imposing a second leader by fiat would probably be severely punished at the next general election, and I can see why Labour wanted out.

The suggestion from the right-wing papers is that Mandelson and Campbell tried to bounce Lib Dems into a deal with a Lab in a desperate attempt to cling to power. I don't swallow this personally, they're cleverer than that: my guess is that dangled the prospect of a deal to force the Tories to raise their bid but had no real intention of going through with it.

But whether it's the Labour party playing a clever game or Mandelson/Campbell going rogue, it's clear that there was no stomach in the Labour party for a coalition with the LDs. And quite right too.

 

[beorhthelm]

so now the Dark Lord was trying to force a better deal for the Liberals? thats nice of him.

exactly what i mean. you wouldnt be saying its bad for Labour if the Liberals had agreed.

 

[Gwylan]

so now the Dark Lord was trying to force a better deal for the Liberals? thats nice of him.

exactly what i mean. you wouldnt be saying its bad for Labour if the Liberals had agreed.

I think that the more that the Tories gave to the Liberals, the greater problems for the coalition. Much as I loathe the man, Mandelson is one of the smartest operators there is and doesn't enter into actions lightly.

It would have been bad for Labour if the LDs agree - and I said exactly that yesterday and at the weekend. I think they're well out of it. I think a few years in opposition against an unstable coalition is perfect for them.

 

[Dorset Seagull]

By the same token if Cameron can be strong enough and present himself as a competent leader of the nation then he will be in a position to go to the polls when his popularity is high and sideline the Lib Dems when he has an overall majority.

It will be very tough to do with the problems we face as a nation, however, if he is up to it then he will reap the rewards

 

[El Presidente]

By the same token if Cameron can be strong enough and present himself as a competent leader of the nation then he will be in a position to go to the polls when his popularity is high and sideline the Lib Dems when he has an overall majority.

It will be very tough to do with the problems we face as a nation, however, if he is up to it then he will reap the rewards

I thought one of the concessions the LD's had negotiated from Diddy Dave is a fixed term parliament to stop the above happening.

 

[Dorset Seagull]

Not if he can go to the polls before legislation goes through for a fixed term parliament

 

[coventrygull]

I think Labour were very happy to walk away. Poor old Dave and Nick have picked up the poisoned chalice. In a years time people will hate you with a vengence. Enjoy