Yesterday I said that I didn't think that there was a deal to be done with the Lib Dems. Later that day David Cameron announced a deal with Nick Clegg, there isn't really anyway for me to spin this. I got it completely wrong.
I thought that the Lib Dem grass roots wouldn't wear a coalition with us but it seems that they did. Even my old sparing partner Duncan Borrowman could see the bright side, having been as sceptical about the deal as I was.
I wasn't too happy with the secret negotiations that the Lib Dems had with Labour or the number of concessions that we made in the last day, I thought that having been spurned by Labour we could have held out for a better deal.
The bottom line is that our offer was generous, very generous. That said, I was surprised that the Lib Dems didn't keep a bolt hole open, they have made their position clear and seem to be willing to work at making the coalition sustainable over the full five year term.
Looking at the list of Lib Dems with cabinet posts I am not filled with dread and David Cameron has given the right jobs to the Lib Dem team and balanced them with Conservative MPs that the wider party know and trust. The policy list is one that most Conservatives will be fairly happy with, because while we have lost a few cherished policies we have protected the core ones and the Lib Dems have sacrificed a number of their sacred cows too.
I'm still not sure that this coalition will be good for the Lib Dems electorally in the long term but that is their problem not ours, they came into this relationship with their eyes open.
I hoped that I was wrong about a deal being done and that if I was I would be happy. I was, I am.
Fair public sector pay-offs plea
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Time to stop moaning about "could have" "should have" "would have" got a better deal or negotiated this or talked that and move on.
I think they have created an excellent coalition team. The 5 year parliament is a good idea and commits to stable govt and the join manifesto (if it can be called that) has best of both worlds so be happy with that. Liberal have given up sandals and Tories gave up their Armanies. Lets grab some M&S sharp suits and lets get to work!
I am so looking forward to PM question time with Harriet Harman (or is she just "Har" now having dropped "man" from everything) and Cameron/Clegg at dispatch box.
I will have nightmares tonight saying this. But I am very pleased with all I have seen so far. Early days of course.
A post that is clearly in the spirit of the new spin free politics!
Looking at the cabinet positions I think the Lib Dems could have done better. Vince has an interesting position but we shall see how much power he has. Clegg should have had a portfolio role. Huhne in Energy is a mistake if you want nuclear power but then the Lib Dems are prevented from voting against nuclear power. And where's Paddy, I would have loved to see him in Northern Ireland or defence.
But the Lib Dems were not playing for the ministries of state, they were rightly interested in getting to best policies for Britain, and with the coalition both parties have dropped some of their stupider policies.
Coalitions deny the people a choice, since it is the politicians who decide what gets in the 'agreement' and what gets done.
This is bad for the Conservatives, I suspect it will be bad for the Lib Dems to and I am sure it will ultimately be bad for the country.
Time will tell.
coalition is never bad - and it is always "politicians" who decide what gets in the "agreement". Its us who choose the politicians but if you prefer to be consulted on every thing via a referendum may be you should be the politician instead.
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