How clever of the Telegraph to send two young reporter "mums" Holly and Laura to charm Vince Cable into showing off how smart, clever and powerful he is, or had been by the time PR Dave caught up with his boasts and took away his favourite MurdochZapper toy.
It's nothing new for LibDems to mutter about the discomfort of coalition in the privacy of their tepees. However, Vince lacking minders like those invariably posted on the doors of the powerful in the movies, who routinely frisk visitors for offensive weapons, fell for a trick that has revealed the base instincts of ex royalty and a national football manager. At least Vince wasn't after a payoff, although it seems the frisson of female approval loosened his tongue more effectively than offers of money.
Throughout the day media commentators tried to second guess PR Dave's response to Vince's observations on the "battles behind the scenes", his "nuclear option", on "policy being rushed out", and how he blames the 'cack-handed' Tories. Would Dave sack him? Is the unity of the coalition at stake if he does?
Cunning old Telegraph, they didn't tell all did they? Robert Preston, who in times gone by has demonstrated the uncanny knack of scooping his peers, turned up in the afternoon on the BBC, not only with the news that Vince had also revealed that he was gunning for Rupert Murdoch's proposed takeover of BSkyB, but with the tape itself. It's one thing to read the transcript, but in a strange way an anticlimax to hear the authentic echoing voice of Vince and the appreciative squeals of his "constituents" as he flexes his ego, in a barely heated, bleakly furnished office, that MPs typically reserve for their infrequent surgeries,
By late afternoon and evening war with Murdoch takes precedent over the "nuclear option". Funny world. The Culture Minister is handed the job of pacifying Murdoch and things media, and Vince who survives with a slimmed down portfolio is now kicking himself that he agreed to appear on the Christmas edition of Strictly Come Dancing. Just imagine the comments of the Panel.
Not even the revelations of MP's expenses led to the purchase of the Telegraph. But for the first time in twenty years it has gained a reluctant reader. Unrivalled for pompous letters from indignant Tories, try this example.
SIR- During the last Test I more than once heard international cricketers refer to batters. The correct, historical word is batsmen; so is this yet another example of political correctness?
However , surprise surprise Mary Riddell's article The NHS warning signs that should horrify David Cameron is worthy of the Guardian, which to be honest has been, ever since it backed the LibDems in the Election, lacking authenticity.
However, the Telegraph shall remain as before and for the foreseeable future only a furtively read headline on the newsstand.
For Mary Riddell's article go to:
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