At last year’s local elections the Conservative party was able to hide behind a ‘human shield’ of the Liberal Democrats, I recall one of my Labour councillors telling the local press:
‘Nationally, the Conservatives have run a very good campaign.
‘They’ve used the Lib Dems as a human shield and it’s worked’ he said.
This was certainly the case with Nick Clegg and his party feeling the full force of the electorate because of unpopular coalition policies – most notably the trebling of university tuition fees and the axing of educational maintenance allowance .
The results saw the Liberal Democrats suffer their worst election result in almost 30 years, losing almost 700 councillors.
The blue half of the coalition came through somewhat unscathed and in fact increased their number of councillors, much to the surprise of many political commentators.
However, twelve calamitous and disastrous months later, that ‘human shield’ has been well and truly broken down.
David Cameron and his Tory ministers are the most fragile they have been since taking office two years ago.
As each week goes by, the perception is growing that this government is more and more out of touch.
Even within his own party, backbenchers and ordinary activists are beginning to lose patience.
If rumours are to be believed, some in the Tory ranks are holding talks with Nigel Farage about a move to the UKIP.
And East Midlands MEP, Roger Helmer has done just that.
Last summer, the prime minister was found dithering over the phone hacking scandal and the riots shortly after.
Then there was his incompetence over Europe which has left Britain isolated.
A health and social care bill which the majority of health groups including the Royal College of Nursing and Radiologists both opposed.
The budget which included the toxic ‘granny tax’ and ‘pasty tax’ swiftly followed by the unnecessary panic buying at petrol stations because of a possible strike (which I’m still waiting to happen).
And as if it couldn’t get any worse, a double dip recession to top it all off with only a week to go before some crucial local elections.
As Cameron appears to become weaker, Miliband appears to become stronger. This is starting to come across now in the media I feel.
How things can change so quickly?
I believe the results will reflect this on Friday as ballot papers are counted. I think we will see strong Labour gains and significant Tory losses.
Unlike like last year where the Lib Dems took the full brunt of unpopular government policies, this time it looks like it will be the Conservatives.
Cameron won’t be able to use that Lib Dem ‘human shield’ again to protect him from an unhappy electorate.
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Andrew Bettridge is secretary of Burton CLP
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Photo: Liberal Democrats