Vince puts his aggressive hat on

Ever since Chris Huhne’s departure from government, Vince Cable has become a more and more aggressive coalition figure. His deliberately provocative interview with The Guardian in which this Keynesian, corporatist lambasts the idea that deregulation is key to growth as “ridiculous and bizarre” has drawn a heated Tory reaction. One source told me earlier that “BIS [Cable’s department] imposes ten stupid expensive things on business for every one they’re forced to drop. BIS is mired in useless committees that churn out red tape because Vince loves the EU and hasn’t a clue about small business.’

Just how irritated some Tory Cabinet Ministers are with Cable spilled out into the open last night on Any Questions. With heavy irony Eric Pickles declared that he was sure that the Business Secretary was ‘mortified’ that his letter lamenting that the government lacks a ‘compelling vision’ was leaked to the press.