Osborne hearts Blunkett

Westmonster has recently noted the narrowing of the policy gap between Labour and the Tories — it's all starting to seem like the contents of the two bags are largely the same, just that one's red and the other blue. Today, the lovefest continues with Shadow Chancellor George Osborne's David-Blunkett-fawn-a-thon in the Guardian's comment section.

Osborne latches on to a pamphlet released this week by Blunkett on the topic of social mobility. (n.b. Westmonster would prefer to have read the pamphlet before making comment, but can't seem to find it — if any intrepid readers can locate this document, please e-mail the link to editor@westmonster.com)

Osborne writes:

"I don't agree with all Blunkett's proposals - increasing taxes on higher earners is not going to solve the problems of any sink estate. But many are worthy of serious consideration, and chime with Conservative thinking."

Osborne goes on to cite several examples where the Conservatives see eye-to-eye with Blunkett, including making special payments out of the education budget to schools attracting poorer children, a call for some kind of national service for 16-to-18-year-olds, and giving residents of social housing a stake in their homes.

Westmonster recognises this as part of a growing trend: as they position themselves to appear a party worthy of government, the Tories have already taken control of the agenda; now they are co-opting Labour positions that share common ground with their own on key issues — last week with the NHS, and this week with Cameron's speech on benefits and Osborne's piece.

It's a worthy strategy, as Tony Blair (or Bill Clinton) might tell you. Combined with the continued bumbling of El Gordo, this approach is a key reason the polls reflect the public's sense that the Conservatives — for the first time in over a decade — are a viable alternative to run the country.