Can anything go right for Labour?

Since June, Jack Straw’s been trying to push through reforms which would limit the Tories’ ability to pour £millions into key marginal seats between elections – the ‘Ashcroft Effect’ as it’s sometimes called.  Well, it’s not looking too promising for Straw’s plans.  The Guardian have got their hands on a document in which the Electoral Commission’s chief executive, Peter Wardle, expresses “serious reservations” about the proposed reforms.

Of course, the commission can’t block the legislation.  But the reforms would only come into effect after it’s offered its guidance.  And the commission’s reservations mean that Straw may be waiting some time for that.  So much time, in fact, that it’s looking unlikely the changes will come into effect before the next election.  So, Tory spending in marginal seats will remain unchecked.  Whilst Labour will be worrying about how to repay all those loans.