One-nation Conservatism? Not under George Osborne

After a parliament, and a campaign, that fostered grievance and social division, the government's post-election rhetoric rings very hollow

We have in this country a first-past-the-post voting system, and in this month's election it was also a case of worst past the post. In addition to the Scot Nats, Ukip and plain nationalism, the two big factors in the election seemed to be the rejection of Ed Miliband and the Conservatives' higher rating for economic competence.

Miliband's ratings were terrible most of the time, but many people were misled by late polls. As my late and much-missed colleague Alan Watkins used to say, "politics is a rough old trade". I am not going to tread on private (and public) grief in the case of Miliband, other than to say that, when saddled with a leader they regard as a loser, the Tories traditionally have no scruples in unseating the incumbent. That would have been David Cameron's fate if the polls had been correct. But always beware the "don't knows".

It is not obvious that Osborne, the controlling force behind the government, even knows how to spell 'social conscience'

Continue reading...