Joker at top of Bertie’s deck

THERE are reshuffles and there are reshuffles.

You look at some prime ministers in Europe and gape at the aplomb with which they reshuffle their cards, drawing the pack from hand-to-hand like they were playing an accordion.

Bertie Ahern, cautious poker player that he is, prefers less showy techniques. When asked to shuffle, he has invariably tapped the top card with his finger. When all change has been promised, it has really meant no change. Familiarity, in this Coalition, seems to have bred content.