Editorial: “Do a David Cameron”

The Partido Popular are  taking heart from an unusual source...David Cameron and his Conservatives. The ruling Partido Popular are struggling in the polls and are on course for defeat in the local elections later this month. Senior Partido Popular members on the island were resigned to the fact that they will have to form a coalition government after the local elections. But that was before last  Thursday and Cameron´s victory in the general election. All of a sudden there appears to be a buzz in Partido Popular circles. There appears to be a new attitude. If the Conservatives can do it, so can we, say the Partido Popular. But of course circumstances are very different. The Partido Popular are ahead in the opinion polls but will not secure an overall majority, according to the polls.  This has caused some concern because over recent years the Partido Popular have been unable to find a suitable bedfellow to give them an overall majority. There are some comparisons, though, with the Conservatives. The Partido Popular have taken credit for the improving economic climate and like Cameron they say that the economy is in safe hands with them. The Spanish Socialist Party, like Labour in Britain, has its fair share of problems. Their support has been hit by a surge in the popularity of  other smaller parties. But if the Partido Popular are to do a “Cameron” and win big next weekend they are going to have to hope for an unexpected landslide of support.