UK POWER STRUGGLE UPDATE

The Observer’s Hague letter: Tory diehards ‘leaked document to scupper Coalition talks’

As the Conservative and LibDem elites upped the pressure on opponents of a coalition early this morning, No Turning Back Tories leaked a document to The Observer that purports to show William Hague ‘confirming’ with David Cameron their agreed tough line on Europe. With Lord Mandelson’s blessing (and to his great delight) the Observer pushes the ‘scuttled deal’ line very hard in its lead ‘exclusive’ this morning:

‘David Cameron’s hopes of forming a coalition with the Liberal Democrats were dramatically undermined last night by the leaking of a top-secret letter outlining the hardline Eurosceptic stance he and William Hague plan to take in their first term in Office…’

Murdoch Press emphasises strength of feeling against LabLib deal in Labour Party, and Gordon Brown in country

Announcing that nearly two-thirds of the electorate think Gordon Brown should resign, The Sunday Times this morning came out strongly in favour of a Cameron/Clegg deal. It also reports that Chief Whip Nick Brown has phoned the Prime Minister to tell him the rank and file do not want him to make a deal with the Liberal Democrats. Whether this means any deal (with or without the Immovable One) remains unclear.

In fact, these are mischievous stories from both papers, reflecting the fear on all sides that there is only room for so many in the boat. That Hague seems Eurosceptic (he isn’t actually – just sensible about maintaining control over our destiny) will hardly be news to the LibDems. The Slog anyway understands that the Yorkshire MP has gone down very well in talks with the Cleggies.

The ST piece is designed to put Brown’s diehards on the back foot, but in fact helps the strategy now being followed by Mandelson: to dump the PM quickly, and stay in touch with the LibDem leadership – thus suggesting to them that they’ll have a far greater chance of radical reform in alliance with ‘New’ Labour. Frankly, if there is a backbench revolt against Mandelson’s dream deal, I’d imagine it’s being orchestrated (or invented) by Ed Balls and Harriet Harman…with the Chief Whip’s active involvement. It’s quite likely Nick Brown leaked the story to Newscorp anyway – although that’s pure speculation on my part.