LIB DEMS MERCILESS ON MING

22-06-2007

As the fallout continues from Gordon Brown's remarkable offer of a cabinet position to Lord Ashdown, there's chuntering in Westminster suggesting that Ming Campbell's position as Lib Dem leader has been seriously weakened.

Campbell's perceived lack of dynamism has long been a source of grievance among some senior party members, with some still bearing a torch for his predecessor Charles Kennedy - deposed when his alcohol problems could no longer be ignored.

Now it's being suggested that Campbell shouldn't even have met with Brown to discuss the possibility of Lib Dem members serving in the government.

The fact that the Prime Minister elect then went behind his back to offer Ashdown a position is being taken as a sign of his poor judgement.

It doesn't seem to matter that Ming actually rejected Gordon's overtures - nor that Ashdown showed solidarity with his boss by also saying "no."

If it seems harsh to judge a Lib Dem leader for having talks which could have put this party into government, bear this in mind - rumours of a possible leadership contest were also rife in May after the party scored a modest 26% of the vote.

This suggests to us that some of Ming's colleagues will use any stick to beat him with - including his willingness to have chat with a Labour leader who, for once, was happy to share power.

Was Ashdown right to reject a Cabinet seat? Or should the Lib Dems have accepted the chance of power? Join the thread on our News Message Board.