As some pundits have been expecting, there are rumours and stories floating around regarding Lib Dem MPs, and two of them in particular.These two are: Simon Hughes and the former party leader Charles Kennedy.
A big problem with the party is that it is essentially a joining of two factions: the old Liberal party and the former SDP which was formed as a breakaway from Labour back in the early 'eighties.
One half seems happy with the coalition, the other half is apparently not so keen.
Especially in the last few days, Simon Hughes' activities have suggested that he might be angling to depose Nick Clegg and take over as the party's leader. His Left-wing credentials are well established, and he is known to be very much the career politician with big ambitions, so this seems to be a distinct possibility.
Hughes's media posturing regarding a future coalition with Labour, as reported here by Yasin Akgun, is probably a smoke screen, but could also provide a fall-back option if the coalition were to fail during this parliamentary five-year term. At least he would stay with the party, if perhaps only out of self-interest.
Another route for the more Left-leaning Lib Dem MPs is to leave the party and join Labour, and this is what Charles Kennedy (among others, we are told) might be considering, according to London Spin Online. UPDATES 21 & 22 August: this has now been denied by the party. It was apparently devised and spread by Ed Miliband's leadership campaign team. Here's Fraser Nelson's wittily-written take (with some additional info) on the Lib Dem rumbles including a section on Kennedy.
Now, I have no way of knowing how close these tales are to reality, especially in the "silly season" for news; but it is as well to be aware of these rumblings (as I call them) in case either of them should actually materialise.
Incidentally, I found it difficult to locate a photograph of Messrs Kennedy and Hughes together, and the above less than ideal shot was all I found. I don't know what that tells us, if anything, but it is curious...
Good analysis, JW. I think Hughes is definitely manoeuvring himself for an expected collapse of the coalition.
ReplyDeleteNice to see these individuals putting themselves before the needs of the people and their country.
It does look very much like it, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteAs for self-interest as a primary driver: that isn't uncommon in politics, and there are examples in all UK national parties of which I am aware.