"As much as I ever did, more than I ever did, I believe in Liberalism. But there was a rosy time of innocence when I believed in Liberals." wrote G K Chesterton.
After Vince Cable today tried to threaten the trade unions with the possibility of tougher laws to prevent strikes, I recalled what Chesterton wrote. That's not why we wanted a Liberal government, Vince. Then I recalled, of course, Vince isn't a Liberal. He came to the Liberal Democrats from Labour via the Social Democrats. It's not Vince's first mistake in government. The mantle of wisdom which descended on Vince so quickly in opposition has blown away as quickly in office. I remember something else which Chesterton said:“When a politician is in opposition he is an expert on the means to some end; and when he is in office he is an expert on the obstacles to it.”
