As a Tory, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the Liberal Democrats gathering in Brighton this weekend for their annual conference. That’s because I desperately want them to get their act together before the next election. So far, Labour has been the main beneficiary of Nick Clegg’s unpopularity, with roughly two-thirds of disillusioned Lib Dem voters turning left and only a third turning right. If follows that if the Lib Dems start to recover in the polls it will hurt Labour more than the Conservatives.
Some Lib Dem activists think the Deputy Prime Minister should step aside in favour of Vince Cable. Not only is the Business Secretary well to the left of Clegg, making him an ideal person to try and win back those supporters who’ve defected to Labour, he’s also less tainted by association with the Tories. Whilst Clegg has always been an enthusiastic participant in this marriage – he plays Jake Gyllenhaal to the Prime Minister’s Heath Ledger – Cable gives the impression he’s holding his nose. (To read more, click here.)
