THE PLOT THICKENS..........

At the risk of being inconsistent, I now get the feeling an election may not be quite such a dead certainty after all. Why? Brown's people are suddently briefing their pals in the media that it might not happen after all . Today's Independent sticks its neck out and suggests Brown's inner circle " is understood to have become more cautious about an election after studying Labour’s private polling in key marginal seats which is described as “patchy and extremely tight”. MPs in Scotland are also understood to be horrified at the prospect of a poll and anyone who has spent ( as I have ) much time there in the depths of winter will understand why.By November, it's getting dark at 3pm.
In the marginals , there is little cause for triumphalism. And, worst of all , in many constituencies candidates will be imposed - so don't expect activists to be rushing out to knock on doors. With a low turn-out, that could be a disaster.
Yesterday, Cameron's speech steadied Tory nerves and the "it's messy, but it's me" approach was in stark contrast to Gordon Brown's utterly stage-managed Conference.So this could be another "Gordon steps back from the brink" moment.
Remember last year's failed coup against Blair? The big Brownite rebellion over top-up fees? On many occasions, Gordon Brown has stood on the edge of the cliff - and scurried away. This time, he may have left it too late to do that. But don't bet on it.......