So when the leader of the traditionally distant third party pulls off an impressive performance, clearly finding a voice that impresses a disillusioned and jaded public, what do the other two parties do?
Raise their game?
Re-examine their own policies and PR approach?
Eliminate flaws and inconsistencies in their own claims?
Get down to grassroots level and ask the public what they really want?
Nope. They just make plans to discredit the New Kid as quickly as possible. You see, we punters might have tentatively moved to suggest that maybe the Lib Dems are the best (possibly of a generally bad lot, depending on your outlook) but we’re obviously wrong. How could we be so foolish?
And they wonder why turnout in predominantly Labour or Conservative constituencies has been falling so disastrously since 1997…
If either Cameron or Brown are the next PM I think I will be packing my bags! Norway or Sweden are tempting. Anybody wish to join me? We can do the cancan on our way out!