Why Labour is campaigning for a hung parliament

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I commented a few times that sometime back in 2009, probably after Labour’s train crash autumn conference, they needed to switch strategy. Campaigning for a Labour victory was turning the voters off – people did not want (and still don’t want) another Labour government. I’m sure that all the private polling, focus groups and other research told Brown the same thing – the campaign was off the rails. Labour was heading for oblivion.

But then some bright spark said: “what about a hung parliament?” Once the high command had stopped beating up on this poor spark, they actually asked the question of some voters. And the answer came back – “yes, a hung parliament’s OK. That’s not a Labour government. That’s not Gordon Brown. We’ll vote for that.” Labour’s new strategy was born. Instead of campaigning for a Labour government, they would campaign (surreptitiously) for a “hung parliament”.

And it has worked – the pinko bits of the press love it, the Liberal Democrats love it. The BBC can’t get enough of it. Everywhere you go folk are talking about a hung parliament. The Liberal Democrats have set out their price. And the polls have moved in Labour’s favour as a response. And even the Dark Lord himself has embraced the campaign for a hung parliament:

Lord Mandelson said: "My appeal is to all progressives in the country – to pause and reflect on where their values lie, and to recognise that they have more in common with Labour than with any other party. And that the difference between Labour and the Liberal Democrats is we can form a government and deliver the values progressive people hold."

Labour reckons that they will be able to do a deal with Nick Clegg – after all Gordon’s sold everything else, selling the heart and soul of the Labour Party to keep the keys of Downing Street is nothing! So a referendum on some sort of PR, a job for Nick & Vince and some weasel words about fairness – job done.

Here’s what Cameron should say:

“The future of Britain – our economy, our security and our liberty – is too important to be decided by some shabby deal behind closed doors. The Conservative Party will not compromise on its principles or on the interests of the British people by selling out just for the sake of the keys to Number 10. I say now that we will not enter into any pact with the Liberal Democrats and I urge you to vote for a strong, focused and effective Conservative Government. By trying to vote for a hung parliament, you just vote for five more years of Gordon Brown.”

That should do the trick!

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