Since we shall soon know the outcome, this column is taking a self-denying ordinance on predicting the result of the 2010 general election. Indeed, it takes that view of all general elections next year, for among the many things it will not predict is how many such contests there will be. It will just comment on the campaign now under way: a campaign from which it, like many of its readers, will derive little enjoyment, and in which the pleasure will reduce with each day that passes, each lie told and each absurdity perpetrated.
David Cameron opened the batting on Monday with his New Year message, at a time when most of us simply wished to get on with Boxing Day in peace. It was a ludicrous document – ludicrous in its content and the pomposity of its self-regard – which you will forgive my not repeating here. Masochists will find it on the Conservatives' website, complete with video. Two features of it stood out. The first was a lecture detailing some (but not all) of the attributes of contemporary politics and politicians that we find so distasteful. These included the adversarial nature of our democracy and the inability of those who participate in it to admit error. Since it already defied credibility that Mr Cameron was going to reject such behaviour for his own part and on behalf of his colleagues, I was not sure whether I was relieved or disappointed when he not only said he was guilty of such things, but would no doubt do them again. As messages of hope go, it was not of the first rank.
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