We desperately need a new government – right now

IN May 1940, when Britain had its back to the wall in World War II, Neville Chamberlain resigned as prime minister immediately after winning a vote of confidence in the House of Commons because he realised that the British people had lost their confidence in him and his policies.

Brian Cowen is unlikely to have such a heroic patriotic insight. It does not matter if there is or is not a successful “heave” or a token “renegotiation” by the Greens, (or the Independents).

A face-painted “new” Taoiseach, plucked from the ranks of those who have been creating the mess for a decade, will make no difference.