Traditionally a Minister would have walked before accusing his boss of being “very unwise” and risking  “inflaming extremism”, but no such bravery from Vince Cable who has once again fobbed off to a female journalist. Cameron’s speech, to Hampshire Conservatives no less, is undoubtedly a bid boost his parties chances in the locals next month. However there was nothing new in the speech and it is basically the government’s policy. Did Cable tell his old chum Brown he was being very unwise when he said “it is right to talk of immigration and address people’s worries and concerns. Because if we don’t, people will listen to whoever does” a few weeks before the election?

Cable is bound by collective Cabinet responsibility and was already on his final warning for his loose tongue. Cameron’s weakness is exposed by his apparent inability to sack this liability.