Which Lib Dem can be rudest about the Tories? Chris Huhne, you must admit, gave it a
decent shot yesterday, describing his parties’ “extraordinary anger” with their coalition stablemates. Even Nick Clegg had a go, with a little swipe at Thatcherism. But I reckon Vince
Cable’s remarks this morning will take some beating. The Tories – on his utterly unscheming, non-partisan account – are
“ruthless, calculating and very tribal”. Although he did add that, “that doesn’t mean to say we can’t work with them.” How very broadminded of him.
The trick of the next few days will be sifting out the Lib-Con separations that have Downing Street’s blessing from those that are simply vicious attacks by one coalition partner on the other. Cable’s latest intervention, I’d say, belongs in the latter camp.
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