Don't Panic, Mr Cameron!

Already they're making excuses - and they aren't even in power yet. I'm talking, of course, about the Tories. In today's papers the shadow chancellor, George Osborne, was warning that the current Labour government's fiscal policies would 'straightjacket' any incoming Tory government, severely restricting their policy options. Jesus, what a cop out! Most politicians at least have the decency to be in power for a few months before they start blaming their policy failures on their predecessors. This lot are already admitting that they're going to be shit - "but don't worry, it won't be our fault!" According to Osborne, the current 'economic mess' meant that the Tories would be forced to review their policies. Mind you, that shouldn't take long, as they don't actually have any policies as it is. Sure, they make all sorts of vague promises which they think will be popular, but they never seem to come up with anything concrete.

Mind you, all this talk of policy reviews is a little presumptuous, as they aren't actually in office yet. There's a minor matter of a general election, and it could be a couple of years before that happens. However, with the polls in their favour, I can't help but think that the Tories are beginning to panic. They've suddenly realised that they might actually have to back all their rhetoric up with action. Being in opposition is a great hoot for this bunch of public schoolboys - you can promise whatever you like and call the Prime Minister all sorts of names, all with no comebacks. But now it is dawning on the Hooray Henrys that they might have to actually take responsibility for running the country - and they're getting cold feet. Making excuses in advance, as Osborne is doing, is a sure sign of panic. Worst of all, from Cameron's point of view, is that not only might he be the next Prime Minister - which must be a pretty daunting prospect for someone who clearly doesn't have the foggiest notion of what constitutes real life - but he might have to deal with an American President who is - God forbid - a black man. They don't prepare you for that sort of thing at Eton.