I have been watching UK political developments with a mixture of amusement and horror.Along with many others I had presumed that after a short flirtation with the Tories that the Liberals would enter into a grand coalition with the other progressive forces.The fact that they have entered into a full blown coalition with the Tories merely demonstrates the allure of power.It represents a monstrous betrayal of any political ideals that the Liberals ever had.For a few cabinet seats and some nod toward electoral reform they are tied in with reactionaries who are hell bent on butchering public services.
This is the death knell of the Liberal Democrats as a centre-left force.If they get electoral reform then they will get more MP's and a semi permanent place on government but they will be bereft of any legitimacy.Its a smart career move for Clegg but it will split his party, and this government will, I am sure, implode after a few months.
Now Labour have a chance to regroup and re-evaluate.There are some good people left there and hopefully Blairite baggage can be shed so that Labour becomes a european style Social Democratic Party.My prediction is that Labour will be back in goverment within 18 months.
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