One rumour of recent days is that the Lib Dems are so demoralised about their impending AV defeat that none will bother to attend the official count down in Docklands. The theory adds to the relentlessly negative narrative about Clegg’s party.
In fact it’s not quite true. I’m told that Chris Huhne, Lord Ashdown, Danny Alexander, Charles Kennedy and Simon Hughes will all in fact be at Friday’s count, if not for the entire afternoon/evening.
It is true they don’t have formal accreditation; but that is because they will be there as guests of Sky, which will have an interviewing suite down in the Excel centre. Each will appear on Sky for an hour or more and then “hang around” the centre, I’m told, although some may then travel back to the other side of London to do BBC interviews at White City.
A question for all aspiring spin doctors and political students: How do the Lib Dems put a positive slant on losing the referendum and hundreds of seats?
UPDATE: Senior Labour figures such as Ed Miliband won’t go to the count, I’m told; neither the pros nor the antis. Instead it will be Lib Dems carrying the can.
Jim Pickard
Kiran Stacey