Cable invents a new kind of new politics

Why are the LibDems so hopeless.  One reason amongst many is that they haven't fought an election before with promises that in their wildest dreams they thought they would have to keep. Another is that its in their genes.  Take a look at their past in the early reaches of the 20th century

Now, after succumbing to the temptations of power they are finding that it takes more than a leader who looks good on a one night stand. 

Cable is now behaving more like Mr Bean than Gordon Brown ever did, The totally bizarre and unprecedented prospect of him being the first cabinet minister ever to formulate legislation  only to abstain from voting for it,  is truly a new kind of politics, but not the one Clegg and Cameron promised.

What is all this about?  Party unity where there is none, face saving when the stage is well past where this is a possibility.

Whatever they do will make the party's position untenable.  For those LibDems who vote against there may be a brief respite from the ire of the ever increasingly angry students.

Looking at the polls and the anxieties of LibDem members and activists, this is only the beginning of their troubles as members of a party whose only rationale is to prop up a Tory government that couldn't win an election at a time when Labour were at its lowest ebb for decades.

History tells us that when Liberals start messing with Tories the Liberals always lose out or split.

LibDem councillors are sitting as  independents.  How long before this happens in Parliament which would inevitably lead to a split. 

Of course the in the history of  20th century British politics the various Liberal splits and alliances (primarily with the Tories) is a running footnote that continues to this day.  Come on Charlie Kennedy how about it.