Alistair Darling: how wild a conspiracy theory do you want, or is it just about the Budget?

By Mark Pack | Wed 24th February 2010 - 8:37 pm

So, how to explain what Alistair Darling has been up to with his comments about Number 10 unleashing the forces of hell on him?

Let’s go for the carefully plotted conspiracy theories first (warning: may contain irony).

Explanation number one: it’s all a clever plot to make sure the Conservatives win the general election and are then crippled for a generation by having to carry out huge spending cuts. After all, look at the damage winning in 1992 did to the Conservative Party in the long run. This is a consistent, long-term and well thought out plot of course because each time Labour starts having a half-decent patch, have you noticed how a self-inflicted wound appears? Polls are narrowing – quick, launch a plot to oust Brown! Polls are narrowing – quick, get top Cabinet minister to slag off Number 10! And so on back through the years. The chronological pattern is a superb fit.

Explanation number two: it’s all a clever plot to show up David Cameron. Think about it. Think how often when, served up with a Labour crisis on a plate, he’s hit the wrong note – particularly at PMQs. What better way to make David Cameron seem like an old-fashioned, strident, boorish politician than keep on serving up crises for him? Only a fool wouldn’t be so short-termist as to think Labour crises harm Labour; it’s the Conservatives who are the real losers.

Explanation number three: Alistair Darling is an undercover agent for an international ne0-con conspiracy determined to hound Labour out of office. On this basis, of course, quite a few members of the Cabinet are also fellow conspirators, but hey what sort of conspiracy is it that can’t thoroughly infiltrate high places?

So, conspiracy theories to one side, is there any half-decent explanation? Perhaps it’s all about the budget. There have been plenty of previous, er…, polite discussions between Darling and Brown over economic policy but by making clear what a bloody catastrophe trying to overrule Darling would be – and how Darling is quite prepared to shaft Brown’s assistants – Darling is placing himself is a very strong position to get the budget that he wants.

Over to you then: any better explanations?

5 Comments

Anthony Aloysius St 24th Feb '10 - 8:45pm

“Polls are narrowing – quick, launch a plot to out Brown!”

Surely “oust”? (Unless I’ve missed something!)
Nick Thornsby 24th Feb '10 - 8:59pm

Mark, you ask ‘Why?’, but surely we are more likely to explain this by asking ‘Why not?’ !

What did Darling have to lose? It’s clear that him and Brown have been at loggerheads for some time, and Balls was (is) clearly incredibly annoyed to have not replaced Darling, and given his past history has probably acted as a complete bastard towards Darling ever since. Perhaps Darling has just had enough, and knows that whatever happens he’s not going to be Chancellor after the election.

I think your last suggestion sounds plausible. Darling obviously knows a lot more than he let on in the interview about who was involved in the briefing against him, though many – until last night – would not expect him to be the sort of person to role up in an interview and reveal these things. Now Darling’s had experience of Brown hijacking his budget, he’s getting prepared in advance so Brown keeps his hands off – Darling’s clearly very annoyed, and who knows what he’d be willing to do if the PM tried to overrule him again…
Mark Pack 24th Feb '10 - 9:07pm

Typo fixed 🙂
dominic hannigan 24th Feb '10 - 10:18pm

Here’s my wildcard theory. Brown was planning to call the election today straight after pmqs for the 25th march, thus avoiding a difficult budget, and the prospect of a return to negative growth around april 22nd. Darling was absolutely opposed to this, as he believes a budget will be the right thing to do politically, as well as stacking considerable personal credibility on delivering a budget. Therefore, doing the interview essentially nuked the pm’s plans and will allow him to deliver his budget, and ensure a may 6th election.. have a laugh and then have a think, this may not be so far fetched.
Hywel 24th Feb '10 - 11:38pm

I thought it was Baldrick who had the cunning plans, not Darling 🙂