The Good & Bad Luck of a small Party!

When the coalition was formed, many were shocked at the number of cabinet and front bench seats LibDem got in proportion to their size in the commons. Some found this unfair to Tories who worked hard during opposition but most understood if the Tory – LibDem union was to work properly, they needed to be fully and equally involved and represented.

This weekend is full of talk about defections from LibDem to Labour; apparently six LibDem MPs are ‘thought’ to be romanced by Labour to cross the floor. Six MPs jumping ship is a large number for any party, but proportionally it is a huge number for the LibDems. If that happens it will no doubt rock the party at its core.

But why, easy, because Labour is still in denial about losing the election and now is becoming desperate. If this coalition makes it to one year, the likelihood of it staying the course is very strong, and Labour can not see themselves in opposition until 2015. How did they manage six MPs? They probably did not, and Charles Kennedy is the first and the only one for now. He is very popular inside and outside his party, by snatching him first a couple more might follow, plus he will be very helpful for Labour up North next May and in negotiating other defections.

Unfortunately, Kennedy is a venerable man now; and currently has personal and emotional issues to deal with, for Labour to exploit these vulnerabilities for their own gain says more about Labour than any LibDem defector.