05 May, 2012

UK vote: the fallout

Only one of the ten cities decided to have an elected mayor, the Conservatives fared badly (not appallingly, but badly) but won the London mayoral contest, just. Turnout was very low.

Mr. Cameron is in the doghouse with his supporters. Doubtless he has plenty of advisers, but here is my take on the thing.

I think he should man up a bit.

Not many people like these metrosexual types who change nappies and erect flat pack furniture, and nobody wants one as PM. Now, more than ever, he needs to look decisive. He chickened out of holding a second election two years ago, nearly looked good when he vetoed the fiscal treaty, then gave in almost immediately and allowed them to use EU resources for something which wasn't an EU treaty. Since his election he has blamed everything on the previous government or his LibDem partners, and it won't wash any more.

The first thing he needs to do is sack Jeremy Hunt, for the simple reason the man is a pest. You can't open a newspaper without reading something negative about him. I learned the other day that he is an expert ballroom dancer. Dave: these people are all right in their way but as politicians they are not sound. Look at Vince Cable.

Having sacked Hunt he should maintain balance in the government by sacking Cable as well, eliminating both of their departments (Culture and Business) which are a waste of resources. He should tell the rest of the cabinet that anyone else who looks as if he can swing his hips to the lambada will be viewed with suspicion.

After that he needs a success: as any batsman will tell you, to gain confidence against the bowling you need to hit a six over the long-on boundary. I would suggest withdrawing from the European Court of Human Rights, but any decisive move against any part of Europe will be popular.

But he needs to do something.

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