Parliament chuckles
Liberal Democrats watching yesterday’s PMQs might have wondered if they’ve missed out on the best man for the vacancy of Party Leader (bar the sainted Charles Kennedy, naturally). Vince Cable proved to be a Parliamentary sketch writer’s wet-dream [Simon Hoggart, Guardian] as he teased the embattled Gordon Brown. While the candidates for the Party Leadership continue to bicker like a couple of chumps on chat show sofas, Cable delighted the House with a rib-tickler of the highest order: -

“The house has noticed the prime minister’s remarkable transformation in the past few weeks – from Stalin to Mr Bean.“

Oh how the house roared. Notes were waived, and feet were stamped. Brown looked, and must have felt, like he’d just been punched in the stomach. The ’safe pair of hands™’, who had steered Britain’s economy into the record books with a decade of continuous growth, now looked out of his depth, humiliated by the Parliamentary equivalent of a supply-teacher. And, of course, the Lib Dem bloggers loved it!

Hot Ginger & Dynamite agrees that Cable has done a tremendous job, calling him “an outrageously good Acting Leader and Shadow Chancellor.” HG&D is also right about Cable’s ability to pick his punches, choosing sensitive issues (such as the Saudi Royal visit) to put clear blue water between the Lib Dems and the other main parties. Caron’s Musings declared “Vince Cable plays a blinder”, and adds that the new leader must reward Cable with a “high profile” position in the new set-up. Hmmm. Not sure about that. Surely you hide the competent ones and promote the muppets? Makes you look good. Indeed, Mike Smithson worries if Cable will “over-shadow whoever wins?” Falkirk-based blog Love and Garbage wants to keep Vinny for good. And Nich Starling observes that even the BBC is now taking notice of the Lib Dems. Crikey.

In these days of ubiquitous Photoshopping, it was only a matter of hours before Brown’s mug would be superimposed on various Mr. Bean posters. And indeed, the blogosphere was soon awash with images of Brown mashed with Rowan Atkinson’s comedic invention. An honourable mention should go to Liberal Democrat Voice which remade the Mr.Bean’s Holiday film poster (ConHome has some too). Childish, perhaps, but great fun nonetheless. While still over at LibDem Voice (seamless, eh?), Stephen Tall has a copy of the Hansard transcript of Cable’s exchange with the PM.

Meral’s Musings agreed that Cable’s quip had “raised the bar.” Quite right. Great stuff. But Vince Cable’s good day didn’t end there, as Charlotte Gore points out.

Elsewhere…
Remembering the ability in disability – Northern Rock and Down’s Syndrome… Yes, you did read that right…
Philobiblon – Medieval Africa – the great kingdoms [Book Review]
Obsolete – Mendelsohn becomes Mandelson
The Nether-World – Letting The Iraqi Employees Die
Blood & Treasure – cargo and its discontents
Dave’s Part – Annapolis: Oslo for slow learners
Three Score Years And Ten – The Undiplomatic Diplomat

1. Pickled Politics » Vincemania, and the reality?
   

   [...] Cable’s performance as acting leader of the Lib Dems has impressed many observers, as Aaron Heath chronicles. His quip about Gordon Brown morphing from Stalin to Mr. Bean was merely the icing on the cake. The [...]