Little to choose among front benches

It may be that I now find politics boring. And betting. I won't do long term betting, and I am not certain of my own long term future, with this brain tumour. I would hate to land a cracking bet on the next election and not be around.

But... politics is certainly becoming. And so is news. It is always about the recession (and the odd murder). It was not like this in the 1980s or 1990s.

Because the recession is universal, the opposition are not have so much opportunity, it is true. Every country is getting a recession. Vince Cable at least tries to say some things that are constructive; George Osborne is merely trying, very trying. Eighteen months ago the Conservatives looked well placed - full of confidence - but look at them now. Where is Davis? Why can Cameron not appoint him to the Shadow Cabinet? Look at the three main parties front bench... there is little to choose between them compared front-bencher for like.

Now the Alliance or LDs traditionally have had mad or maverick MPs. Russell Johnston, Clement Freud, Cyril Smith, Alex Carlile etc. (There is still Opik, I will grant you). But now most LD MPs are sensible. However, the LDs only have 63 to choose from to get a front bench. It is going to be hard.

The Labour are the largest in parliament. After years in power, they are exhausted. That's their excuse. But with 3 times as many MPs as the LDs, the Tories should have a better front bench than them. They don't.