A dare for the Queen
David Cameron will be utterly unfit to form a government this Friday. So, too, will Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg.
This business of campaigning through the night is complete madness. It never happened before. How many extra votes does a politician really get from a fire station in the middle of the night, or early morning in a fishing port?
It's a terrible American import to British election campaigns. But in US presidential elections candidates are elected, make an acceptance speech, celebrate, and then take a long rest.
Here, in contrast, our Prime Minister may be elected on Friday after several days without much sleep, and weeks of knackering activity. And then he'll form his Cabinet, and perhaps a whole new government by Monday. And he may also make some radical policy announcements.
This is mad. We wouldn't allow surgeons to operate without sleep, so why allow politicians to conduct major surgery to the government without sleep. And there are strict laws about lorry drivers driving more than a set number of hours without proper rest and breaks.
So David or Gordon or Nick please take a good rest before appointing your Cabinet and making big decisions. Don't appoint a new home secretary without a good night's sleep.
Here's a dare for the Queen. Why don't you say this on Friday:
"Good afternoon, Mr Cameron or Mr Brown etc."
"Good afternoon, ma'am."
"I'd like you to be my new Prime Minister."
"I'd be delighted to, ma'am."
"But on one condition. You don't appoint any of my new ministers until Wednesday. Go and take a break first. Promise me?"
"Well..."
"No, promise me."
"I promise ma'am."
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 5th May 2010, Frank Wallder wrote:Michael Crick makes the elementary mistake of underestimating his readers - doesn't he realise that we know all the potential positions have already been planned and set up well in advance, likewise policies.
Of course things may change in the event of a hung parliament but then the timetable immediately lengthens and the criticism no longer applies. To paraphrase, never let a more realistic assessment get in the way of a good blog
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Comment number 2.
At 5th May 2010, RJM6 wrote:Completely agree, it seems pointless in traipsing across the country in the middle of the night.
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Comment number 3.
At 5th May 2010, colmac wrote:We should not get carried away with talk of a hung parliament,
Labour has spent the last 13 years Social Engineering, and this has resulted in a massive number of people receiving payment from the goverment(Pensions, Wages, Benefits, not to mention a number of the earliest immigrants who will now be eligible to vote etc. Labour are still in denial about massive cuts to those areas unlike the two other parties. This constant reminder by Labour of the of the other parties openess about making cuts will have an effect when it actualy comes to placing a cross on the ballot paper
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Comment number 4.
At 5th May 2010, Dave wrote:It's interesting to see that as the campaign comes to an end the commentary on the election gets more interesting. . One of the salient, yet underplayed, elements of this race as we get to the finish line is the generational identity of the three party leaders, which is very relevant in understanding who they actually are as people and leaders. I read a fascinating piece in The Independent yesterday about how Clegg and Cameron are members of Generation Jones (between the Baby Boomers and Generation X). GenJones leaders have apparently taken over global leadership recently (Obama, Sarkozy, Merkel et al) and with the election this week will do the same here (the new Parliament will be dominated by Jonesers who will fill previously Boomer MP seats). Here is a link to that Independent article:
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Comment number 5.
At 5th May 2010, Daryl wrote:Michael - so glad to see someone in the media mentioning this problem.
I raised just that problem with a friend last night, especially the comparison with the US Presidential system and the big time lapse between the end of campaign and commencement of the term of office.
However, as someone has already here commented, I suppose the majority of positions have been planned and set up. However, that assumes a clear Tory win. If a coalition deal of any flavour is required, then much energy will be needed to hammer out a good deal.
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Comment number 6.
At 5th May 2010, stevie wrote:The Queen to PM , whoever, Can you find a job for my grandson, the ginger one as he is rather at a loose end and he turrns up at two in the morning with his mates and bash the place up a bit...the smell of pizza is appalling so if you want my consent thingy, you'll have to take him on your team...can I count on you?
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