The end of the recession, but just the beginning of the PM’s problems

Since the end of the recession was confirmed a few days ago, confidence has returned to at least one part of -Britain. Ministers are beginning to strut again as they wander round Whitehall and their conversations include the occasional reference to a second term. Political recovery will, they think, follow economic recovery. As evidence for this, they point to polling which shows that the coalition’s reputation for economic management has already returned to pre-Budget levels.

David Cameron, though, is more cautious. Over the past difficult few months, he did his best to keep his own and others’ spirits up. Colleagues were regularly told, ‘Well, it was never going to be easy.’ But now he is airing some of his suppressed irritation. He has ticked off Tory Cabinet ministers for too much loose talk about their colleagues and the Downing Street operation.

Cameron is in for a rough ride between now and Christmas — due in part to Europe.