WITH a mighty 180-seat margin in the Commons, what is Tony Blair up to as he offers Paddy Ashdown and other Liberal Democrats seats on a special Cabinet committee?

It is a rare departure in British politics and a high-minded gesture when he has no practical need to share power with another party.

But if it takes politics away from its traditional confrontational basis and introduces some welcome consensus for a refreshing change, is there not another aspect to this move beyond mere style?

For Mr Blair's view of consensus seems to be not just that between parties, but one which reflects the broad-based outlook of the electorate - to which he can respond with policies that will keep a consensual-looking Labour Party long in power.

So why not even greater consensus? Why no Cabinet committee seats for Tory MPs?

Is it that Mr Blair is crafting a Lib-Lab pincer with which he hopes to squeeze the already-drubbed Conservatives to death?

If so, it is a somewhat high hope. The Tory party is not dead yet.

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