It seems to me that we are being subjected continuously, verbally, by presentations on TV and in the press, that there is such a diversity in the solution to our problems that only an election could solve them. To me this is rank nonsense, because it is universally accepted that we are living in a unique situation in which there has never been any precedence, and therefore an accepted solution. Equally, an election would disrupt the whole process of parliament for several weeks, just at the time when we need quiet, intelligent analysis, rather than rushed decisions, because those in charge are not only worried about the state of the nation, but of their own futures. An election could give a total change in management, or at the least, a Cabinet reshuffle, neither of which will improve the situation in any way. I strongly suspect that each of the parties is flying by the seat of its pants and is merely guessing at the best way out of our financial problem. This would appear to be confirmed by the fact that the liberal solution, as offered by Mr Clegg on television, is little more than a variation of that offered by the Labour Party. What is happening, and what I believe to be disgraceful, is that political brinkmanship, coupled with opportunism, is ruling, instead of a combined, reasoned, and agreed approach to a problem which is so far reaching and so vital to our future. There is bound to be an element of ‘suck it and see’, which demands that anything that is done, must be done reasonably, and with limitations, so that the way forward can be piloted.
To do virtually nothing, as implied by Mr Cameron’s speech, would seem to amount to sitting on your hands until you know which way the wind is blowing, by which time it might be too late. To paint with a broad brush could place us in a situation beyond which retraction, or change of direction would be difficult if not impossible. This is a time when politicians should bury the hatchet, and apply their joint energies to achieving not only a solution, but one of equable outcome. The Cabinet has enough on its plate without fighting a rearguard action from the opposition, who in turn is criticising but not advising in the spirit one would expect from those we have elected to look after our welfare to operate in a crisis, comparable with Dunkirk.