New Labour's political soufflé collapses in the middle

New Labour was always a fictitious philosophy. It pandered to short-term thinking and quick fix politics. As I've been musing, what is New Labour for, exactly? It isn't for socialism, it isn't for the "class struggle", it isn't for radical change. There are still republicans, socialists and secularists in parts of the party, but it is mainly made up of silver-tongued managerial types keen to spread money around (even in a recession) without too many questions being asked or answers being sought.

New Labour was Tony Blair's concept in the main, along with Mandelson and a few others, who saw great merit in a frothy electoral programme aimed mainly at seducing the British public. It was almost devoid of principle and utterly lacking in sound policy, but what the hell, in 1997 the country was craving change and this grinning, smooth talking politician was just in the right place at the right time.

It comes as no surprise that several Labour MPs are thinking of defecting to the Liberal Democrats. This party is being ably led by Nick Clegg and has some very good front bench spokesmen. Vince Cable is an excellent opponent of the government's lacklustre financial management. I am not a natural supporter of the LibDems, but I think they show a far better respect for social policies and are generally far more "robust" on the financial front.

Gordon Brown must have some problem with them. He has never referred to them as the Liberal Democrats, preferring to say "THE LUBBER-RULL PARTY", as if being dismissive. Now they are appearing to be an effective party and it is no surprise to hear that many Labour MPs are thinking they may well be better off under the leadership of someone who does put principle before party.

My own preferred political solution would be for the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats to be the two main parties. Perhaps it may be happening. The LibDems are made up of a sizeable chunk of former Labour Party people as it is (Shirley Williams, etc), so it may take one or two more mass defections for this to come about.

It is certain that nobody is rushing to order the Gordon Brown soufflé, as it has gone horribly soggy in the middle.