THE BREAKING OF THE PARTIES:

Lib Dems urge Kennedy to consider Tory pact (Tania Branigan and Julian Glover, December 9, 2005, The Guardian)

Leading Liberal Democrat MPs are calling on Charles Kennedy to consider working with the Conservatives in a future hung parliament, as part of a strategy to deal with David Cameron's arrival as Tory leader.

The Conservative transition is also adding to pressure on Mr Kennedy's position, with senior Lib Dems discussing whether he could be persuaded to stand down well before the next general election. While Mr Kennedy remains popular with the public, many MPs fear the party is drifting when it should raise its game to challenge a Tory resurgence.

They believe that disappointing results against the Tories in May, a patchy performance and the election of Mr Cameron - a young family man promising to offer liberal, moderate opposition to the government - have undermined him.

The last thing a country needs is three Third Way parties.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 9, 2005 8:33 AM