The students have brought down this Government -- they just don't know it yet!
*tap tap* is this thing on? Been a while since I wrote here ...It's been fantastic to see the students protesting against the fees increase for three weeks running, especially as after the first week they knew they were likely to be up against the Met in all their baton-wielding, head-cracking splendour. Amazing bravery for people so young to continually put themselves in that position.
They may think that they lost as the vote went narrowly in favour of the Government's proposals. But although this battle may have been lost I think they've effectively fired the opening salvos in a war which will definitely been won.
The Evening Standard's (printed edition only I'm afraid) editorial this evening pointed out that for the MPs who've "crossed the Rubicon" by voting against their party, any further rebellions will be much easier. And that's the thing. This was always an uneasy coalition and the protests against the fees increase has caused huge cracks to appear in it. All it will take is one or two other points of conflicting interest to cause the whole thing to come crashing down.
The Lib Dem senior leadership will hang on, come what may, until the AV Referendum has passed in May next year. But after that I think the cracks will widen very quickly, the Coalition will collapse (probably over something fairly minor) and the government will fall.
There'll be a General Election by the end of September next year. Without a doubt.
posted by Iain @ 19:20
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