wiser counsel

Naturally the media is delirious with delight over the political developments, offering blanket coverage, which of course at present can only be pretty meaningless speculation about what we might expect to unfold over the course of the next few days. Everywhere we are assailed by doubtless wise analysis of the current situation and how the nation arrived there. And it is an interesting question. But for one of the best overviews, however, we need look no further than Patrick Graham's blog of 7th May (see: www.smileofthedecade.co.uk)which, as he so often does, cuts through the more conventional bull crap peddled by other more mainstream commentators. Below I offer an extract:

"...a common buzz going around unchallenged by journalists who should know better, puzzles me somewhat. One example:
'they [the voters] are not willing to trust Cameron with government on their own' or: 'they are not willing to have a majority labour government either [this from Peter Hain speaking to Sky news]- 'therefore they are expecting a partnership government'
The fact is that a large number [of the electorate] decided one thing and other large numbers decided they wanted something else...this time, more than ever, it is clear that the majority of the British people DID NOT AGREE ON ANYTHING (my capitals)- there is no collective voice..."

Here Patrick nails it perfectly. The media makes it appear as though all 30 million voters somehow got together to produce this situation, but of course they did nothing of the kind; indeed, how could they? (and don't tell me they organised it through twitter- I may have to slap you) The fact is, never has an electorate been faced with 3 mainstream choices that were so indistinguishable from one another. In which case, "no overall control" seems, in retrospect, almost inevitable.