The only thing slightly surprising about the defection of Labour MP Brian Sedgemore to the Liberal Democrats is the timing. There is now such a chasm between the principled left wingers of the old-type and the spin obsessed, managerial-types of New Labour that it is a wonder that they all belong to the same party. Sedgemore’s claim that more retired MPs are planning on leaving Labour after the election may or may not come to pass. It is safe to assume, though, that there must be quite a few of them having seditious thoughts.
Another curiosity is whether the Liberal Democrats are the natural home for left wing deserters. Historically, the Liberals have been about light, though compassionate, government, with an emphasis on individual freedoms. As Labour has moved away from its founding ideals, the Liberal Democrats have increasingly moved leftwards to occupy the space. Their position on issues such as tuition fees, care for the elderly, foundation hospitals, the Iraq war, civil liberties and taxation, is something Labour leftwingers can instantly make common cause with.
If Sedgmore’s defection emboldens others in the next few days, then the election may not be the foregone conclusion many pundits have proclaimed it to be.
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