It’s quite something to stick your neck out and call an election before it’s been called by the powers that be, but it’s difficult to see how this can be anything else than the point of no return. David Cameron has played a masterful stroke to commit Gordon Brown, despite lagging behind in the polls, in forcing his hand. Brown had been careful not to drop the e-word once in his keynote speech at the Bournemouth Conference, instead setting out his stall with policy rather than pinning his heart to the ballot papers. Now, though, the Prime Minister is committed.
To shy away from a snap election now would quickly spell disaster for the Scot, who has alleged to have been hard at work behind the scenes in gearing up a team ready to make a manifesto, drum up support from ministers to backbenchers and still have enough time to craft some of those fancy red rosettes. The sum total of Brown’s withdrawal, however, will amount to backing off because of Cameron’s confidence.
Similarly, though, many hardcore Tory supporters are getting fed up with Call Me Dave’s shift towards the left, in particular his strong stance on green issues and climate change striking a dull note with Middle Britain and failing to cajole the environmentally-conscious towards a Conservative vote. Many supporters of the Conservatives want a leader that matches their ideology, and if Cameron fails to win an impending election he won’t be sticking around much longer.
Poor Sir Menzies Campbell. There’s no point hiding behind it any more, as much as he tells us the gulf between old and young shouldn’t make a blind bit of difference in politics, his age has rendered him unelectable. The Lib Dems are stuck in the same position on the polls, well off the pace from the big two. The election could also make or break the third party’s leader, as anything other than significant seat gains could well trigger a vote of no confidence.
With all three seemingly placing their trust in the hands of the electorate, it could turn out to be one of the most hard-fought snap elections ever seen.
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