Things Turn Nasty
It is not just the political establishment which has been turned on its collective head by the dramatic emergence of the Lib Dems as real contenders in the election. So strong is the surge thus far that if it advances further the Lib Dems will become the front runners. If not they already ensure that neither Cameron or Brown can win outright.
The Tory press is now outraged, perhaps even panicked. Thirteen years of nil influence was about to end giving them the ear of government. Suddenly they are staring at more years out in the cold. The Murdoch press are looking like they backed the wrong horse. This is bad for image. It looks like bad judgement. If they are wrong on this, what else?
So they have gone personal. Get Clegg. Rake up old bank accounts, speeches, jobs and friends. Find something to dull the shine. To treat his policies and his personality in this way is to accept that he may be in contention to win outright. It is only fair that he should be tested, but the testing must be fair. If it is not the public, who have turned against established power of all sorts, whether politicians, bankers or media bullies will take up the challenge and make sure he does. To my friends in the press I have a message. Be very careful. You play with fire.