Lib Dems in ‘state of flux’
By Alex Stevenson Liberal Democrat MPs are in the final stages of negotiations about how to retain their party’s independent identity while remaining in government. The party is expected to approve a number of practical measures at its parliamentary party meeting this evening, following days of frantic talks. Discussions between the party leadership, the new […]
Huhne leaves wife for ex-press secretary
By politics.co.uk staff Senior Liberal Democrat Chris Huhne has left his wife for his ex-press secretary. The 56-year-old energy and climate change secretary abandoned Vicky Pryce, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills’ chief economist, for 44-year-old Carina Trimingham, who he has been in a relationship with for a year. “I am in a serious […]
Unite tries to stoke Lib Dem rebellion
By Ian Dunt Unite has called on Liberal Democrats with “a social conscience” to tear up their membership cards in protest at the coalition’s cuts agenda. The union, which is still embroiled in a bitter and protracted industrial dispute with British Airways, said the Conservatives were relying on the Lib Dems to give their regressive […]
Lib Dems to confront coalition tensions
By Alex Stevenson Liberal Democrat MPs are engaged in intensive backroom discussions about the mechanics of coalition government, as they confront growing concerns about maintaining the party’s independent voice in Westminster. Backbenchers will hear proposals at a meeting of the parliamentary party this evening, following concerns that the Lib Dems’ alliance with the Conservatives means […]
Pressure on Clegg to keep capital gains reform
By Ian Dunt A left-of-centre Lib Dem group is piling pressure on Nick Clegg to ensure he does not back down on raising capital gains tax. The proposed changes to capital gains, which would make it roughly equivalent to income tax, have prompted the ire of Tory backbenchers but Mr Clegg is under pressure from […]
Clegg: To cut is to be progressive
By Alex Stevenson Refusing to cut public spending would be a “betrayal” of progressive values, Nick Clegg has claimed. The deputy prime minister argued in a speech designed to pave the way for tough economic action that cutting the deficit is the only way to return to spending money on schools and hospitals. “This government, […]
Coalition Lib Dems slipping in polls
By politics.co.uk staff The Liberal Democrats have been handed a polling setback, slipping below 20% for the first time since the first leaders’ debate. A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times put the Lib Dems on 18%, slipping three points. The Conservatives stood at 40%, up one, while Labour stood unchanged on 32%. Party activists […]
Hughes wins fight to become deputy Lib Dem leader
By politics.co.uk staff Simon Hughes has beaten off rival Tim Farron to become deputy Liberal Democrat leader. The prominent figure, who is firmly on the left of the party, took 38 votes from the party’s 57 MPs. One MP abstained. The Bermondsey MP is by far the most senior figure in the party to have […]
Lib Dem backbench committees to pressure coalition
By Alex Stevenson The Liberal Democrats have finally published their plans on how they will maintain an independent voice within the coalition government. Backbench policy committees chaired by middle-ranking MPs who did not gain ministerial posts will scrutinise the government’s policies in a bid to ensure their consistency with Lib Dem values. The 15 committees […]
Sketch: Anger at Clegg boils over
MPs allowed their evident irritation at Nick Clegg’s new status to overwhelm them. The deputy prime minister handled it rather well. By Ian Dunt They really do hate him. Personally, I’ve always had a lot of time for disrespect and abuse as a sporting pursuit. But the anger directed at Nick Clegg did not have […]
