James Forsyth reviews the week in politics
In the last parliament, it was Tory MPs who were the odd ones out at Westminster. While they socialised among themselves, Labour and Liberal Democrat members could regularly be seen in each other’s company. As the prospect of a hung parliament loomed, this fraternising stepped up. By contrast, the few Liberal Democrats who had Tory friends tended to cut off contact as the campaign progressed. One Lib Dem spokesman took his Tory opposite number out to dinner a few days before it began and told him regretfully that he couldn’t see him anymore and that he’d no longer be able to admit how much he agreed with him.
But then came those five days in May. Now, Labour MPs delight in shunning the Liberal Democrats. When some new Labour members went to dinner in the Commons recently they saw Ming Campbell, who is visibly uncomfortable about the coalition, dining alone. They briefly considered asking him to join them. But they soon decided that it would be much more fun to talk particularly loudly about how the Liberal Democrats had betrayed their principles by going into government with the Tories. Campbell finished his supper in a hurry.
Labour and its supporters are enjoying venting their frustration at being out of power on the Liberal Democrats. Labour MPs pour into the chamber for deputy prime minister’s questions to take advantage of the chance to shout abuse at Nick Clegg, and the new MPs join in as enthusiastically as the old ones. The quickest way to raise a round of applause at a Labour leadership hustings is to denounce the Liberal Democrats.
But the new Labour leader will have to decide whether this is a game the party can afford to play.
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