Fishburn Hedges

01.06.2010

It is the most tired cliché that a week is a long time in politics, but the three short weeks since the forging of the coalition must seem like an eternity to David Laws. 

In the increasingly frenetic pace of our politics, there will be little time to reflect on his short career in government; the focus is already on his successor who faced the cameras this morning, and on assessing the impact that Danny Alexander’s appointment will have on the government.

David Laws was heralded as an instrumental figure in the coalition not simply because of a towering intellect (a double first from Cambridge) and experience in the City, as flagged in Jason Nisse’s earlier post on career politicians, but because he was genuinely popular on the Conservative backbenches.  In Laws’ first appearance at the despatch box, it was telling that Edward Leigh (member of the Cornerstone group and right winger) heralded the return of “stern, unbending Gladstonian Liberalism" to the Treasury.  Laws was ideally qualified to be the bridge between the Conservatives and the Lib Dems on the economy; an economic liberal, respected on all sides and uniquely qualified for the role. 

His replacement is unquestionably a rising star in the Liberal Democrats, but through no fault of his own, Danny Alexander can expect a colder reception from his new Conservative allies than his predecessor.  The new Chief Secretary to the Treasury does not have a City background to boost his credentials and many in the media will attribute his promotion to his close relationship with Nick Clegg. 

In time Alexander may prove to be a successful and popular Chief Secretary to the Treasury; yet his proximity to Clegg, a lack of experience and the fact that he isn’t David Laws will make his job all the more demanding. 

I think it is safe to say that the honeymoon is over.

Posted by Andrew Lewin