Hanging On By 9 Votes
Conversation inevitably strays to politics within my circle of friends.
The problem with the Government, one suggested, is that its policies are now perceived as short-term, stop-gap measures. The worry is that this may now have moved from perception, to, well, reality.
The vote on the 42 day pre-charge detention last night invites the question: how far is Gordon Brown prepared to go to win back favour with voters?
As a casual observer with no vested interest in this issue the reported tactics to win votes in the Commons invite feelings of great unease - The Guardian reports of ‘incentives’ offered to DUP members and “a range of concessions including compensation for injured miners, increases in rail investment and lifting EU sanctions on Cuba” for Labour MPs.
IMO passing a crucial vote in the Commons by 9 votes can hardly be billed a victory - will this go down as a significant turning point in Labour's fortunes? Time will tell.