“Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they’ve told you what you think it is you want to hear.” Alan Coren

I freely admit that, for many years, I was an active supporter of the Liberal Democrats. I agreed with a lot of what they stood for – particularly and especially their apparent commitment to education.

I quote directly from the LibDems 2010 election manifesto “We will scrap unfair university tuition fees so everyone has the chance to get a degree, regardless of their parents’ income.” (Their emphasis, not mine!)

Probably it’s naïve of me, but I did harbour a lingering hope that here was a party which, once in power, would actually put its actions where its policies were.

Earlier this week Vince Cable claimed that the LibDems had not broken any promises because what was binding on them was the coalition agreement and not the manifesto on which they fought the election or the pledge on tuition fees that a great many of them had signed. The BBC interview with Jon Sopel was a nauseating example of obfuscation and distraction. Time and again he was asked if he’d broken the manifesto promise. Time and again he slithered away. What is a manifesto, but the promises made to the electorate? Grow some balls, Vince!

To add insult to injury – as he presides over the trebling of university tuition fees and, presumably, votes in full support of the chinless Gove’s butchering of school rebuilding projects – we are set to enjoy Cable’s ballroom prowess on Strictly Come Dancing.

Is this the modern equivalent of fiddling while Rome burns? Watch out, Vince – Nero died a friendless suicide!