Reason to be cheerful

Despite a Summer of scrutiny for the Tories commitment (or otherwise) to the NHS, today's Guardian poll suggests that support for the Conservatives has actually increased. A Tory PM in 2010 looks more and more likely and the outlook bleak for traditional Labour supporters like yours truly.

Admittedly, there is very little to 'support' in the Labour party right now: Iraq enquiries continue to be fudged and covert and the expenses scandal attacked the very core of the party - many suggested that it was behaviour they expected from Conservatives, but deplored in so-called socialists. Indeed, this past year could be seen as a woeful failure of the Left in all its guises: the economy crashed and capitalism was exposed as being a fragile system, based on greed, exploitation and virtual accounting. This was the time for a radical change - what we got was slapped wrists and empty gestures.

Personally, I was cheered by Alastair Darling's increased taxation on those earning £100,000 or more (which, don't forget, includes pretty much everyone in the media and was therefore never going to be met with a fanfare) but still couldn't help feeling it was too little, too late.

So, is there a reason to be cheerful?

If there is, his name is Jon Cruddas. The war in Iraq aside (which he now openly admits was a mistake) Cruddas has an admirable voting record - opposing all Blairite evils from tuition fees to trust schools and nuclear weapons. If Labour are crushed next May, he's precisely the sort of person they need to elect. MP for working-class, industrial heartland of Dagenham, Cruddas seems refreshingly reluctant to maintain the status quo and his political record reflects firmly held principles.

In terms of presentation too, Cruddas doesn't seem as slimy as the Millibands or as smug as Harmen. Like Alan Johnstone, he has the appearance of a bloke trying to do a good job - the perfect antidote to Cameron's fadish, vapid style.

Of course, this could well be the kiss of death for Cruddas. Ironically, rather than voting for Cruddas in the Deputy PM election, I opted for Peter Hain, who a few weeks later was being investigated for financial irregularities. So, if he can survive my poisoned 'thumbs-up', Cruddas may well be the man for the future.