This one’s been stewing for a while.  I consider myself solidly left-wing and when the tories are ahead in the polls I can normally be relied on to jump back into line and vote Labour. 

Last election-time, I voted for the lib-dems. I was cross about the lack of competence over much of the Iraq conflict and while I was prepared to believe that the whole WMD decision was made on good faith, it was still an almighty cock-up. And the conservative party had no chance of winning – so classic protest vote I guess.

But David Cameron’s ahead in the polls and the economy’s gone south – and I’m feeling solidly back in line.  I actually have no problem with Gordon Brown – and I’m suspicious of evangelism and popularity-cult politics. 

So my vote’s in the bag? Nope. The government messed up.

On the day that Tom Watson was publicising the Digital Britain paper, with much better promotion of Open Source and effectively, open practices – all great stuff and much to be positive about – Jack Straw announced that the government had refused to release the minutes of the cabinet Iraq debates. Compounding the errors of the past – utter contempt for open and accountable government – an absolute disgrace and utterly depressing.  People mess up, it happens – but they should admit mistakes, be open, be accountable. If the government won’t do it, bankers won’t do it… 

So shop steward days firmly over – where to go? Looks like the lib-dems again – but they’d make it easier for me if they somehow got Vince Cable to step up as leader.