BBC News, 10 May 2010
… Coalition talks between the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats have reportedly broken down, both sides blaming unfeasible demands by the other side. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have held exploratory talks, but it is difficult to see how they could produce even a minority Government …
Number 10, Downing Street. The White Drawing Room
Peter Mandelson closed his eyes and rubbed the top of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. He’d had very little sleep since Election Day had begun, and it didn’t look like he’d have a full night’s sleep for some time yet.
“Okay”, he said wearily. “What exactly did Gordon say before he went off with Ed for his ‘little chat’?”
A young Labour Party staffer cleared his throat. Jerry, recallecd Mandelson. That’s the lad’s name.
“Just that he’d be damned if Cable and Huhne would force him to make unnecessary cuts or rip away our defences against the terrorists”, said Jerry.
“Our Gordon has many praiseworthy characteristics, but a willingness to compromise is not amongst them, sadly”, mused Mandelson. “Did you suggest that he view their requests as a first negotiating step and try to come up with a compromise between them?”
“Umm, yes”. Jerry looked uncomfortable. “He didn’t seem to like that idea”
“Indeed?”, asked Mandelson with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah – he said ‘Who do they think they are? I’m the one who was Chancellor for ten years, and the best Chancellor we’ve ever had. I’m the one who rebuilt the world’s financial systems when they went to the brink. I’m not a fucking Tory who’ll cut, cut, cut. There’s another way and we can’t go half way between them - we can't cut and not cut at the same time. What’s the point of cutting more than we need to? We’d just legitimise the toffs’ suggestions!’, and he walked off with Mr Balls”, said Jerry.
“Oh dear. I think that the project to reunify the progressive centre-left may have run into some rather fundamental showstoppers”, murmured Mandelson. “Thank you, Jerry. That’ll be all”
Jerry nodded and left, with an expression of relief.
David Milliband leaned forward. “So – what do we do?”, he asked. Around the table, his younger brother, Alistair Darling and Harriet Harman all looked expectantly at Mandelson.
“It’s – difficult”, said Mandelson. “Since he started refusing to talk to me directly, advising him appropriately has become – something of a challenge”
“It’s wider than just the Party issue”, interjected Darling. “Vince has a pretty good case. With Greece going the way it is, Europe could become a house of cards. And the money markets are getting very apprehensive. We could see them downgrading us and we’d be paying considerably more in interest charges – which could cause bigger cuts down the line”
“I bow to your financial expertise”, said Mandelson, “But I’m not the one you have to convince. It’s Gordon”
Darling shook his head. “Gordon’s problem is that he occasionally confuses what he wants to happen with what is going to happen. If he has every intention of bringing the finances under control at some later date, why should the markets doubt him? And he hates the ‘cuts’ word with a passion”
Ed Milliband spoke up. “Since he found out that Huhne had sent Laws and Alexander to talk to the Tories without telling us first, he’s become convinced that they’ve betrayed him. He thinks at some level that they’re just trying to get justification for the Tory financial agenda.”
David shook his head. “Can’t he see that they’re only posturing for effect? The Tories and the Libs wouldn’t get up to our numbers even if they did go together. There’s no way they can get in without our say-so”
“Unfortunately, Gordon is particularly sensitive to what he sees as disloyalty”, sighed Mandelson. “And he often sees the most pessimistic outcome in political terms, even if he doesn’t take that stance when looking at the finances. Whilst he remains leader …”
An uncomfortable look flashed around the table.
“… we are required to support him as much as we can, regardless of his own issues. David – I’d like you and Harriet to speak to the Liberals about the possibility of a supply-and-confidence deal”
David looked sceptical. “I’m not sure they’ll even sign up to that”
Mandelson shrugged. “It costs nothing to ask, makes us look more reasonable, and there are plenty of positions that can be negotiated. Suggest a short-term deal of no more than two years, hint that we might be able to get some concessions in terms of finances – say, an Emergency Budget where we’d welcome their submissions. But for God’s sake don’t say that we’d accept any of them!”
“Fine, I’ll try.” said David.
Mandelson continued. “You can throw in some suggestions on civil liberties, but not too many. Kick the Identity Cards Bill into the long grass. Suggest that a cross-party committee be set up to study the need for them and report back in two years, after the suggested supply-and-confidence deal expires. We should be able to sell that to Gordon on grounds of cost savings – God knows that it keeps on climbing. And remember, everyone. Much though we may admire him, Gordon cannot continue as Leader forever. He knows at some level that the loss in support that he suffered has damaged his position. What we must do is ensure that his successor is not someone likely to share the same tendencies”
“You mean – not Balls”, said Darling, harshly.
Mandelson looked pained. “To put it crudely, yes”
Ed Milliband looked uncomfortable, but joined in with the general assent around the table.
“Well, if that’s everything for now, let’s see what the responses are. Ed – if you can try to find out what Gordon and Balls are cooking up between them, I’d be most grateful. That’s all for now”, said Mandelson.