Clegg's dilemma
James Forsyth 2:39pm
Lib Dem frontbencher David Heath has confirmed that he will vote against the Lib Dem whip and for a referendum on the EU Constitution. Nick Clegg now faces a difficult choice. He can sack Heath and show that he will not back down from enforcing party discipline. However, this approach would highlight the Lib Dem’s breach of their manifesto promise to support a popular vote on the EU Constitution. Or, he can let Heath get away with defying the party line and create a precedent that will wreak havoc on party discipline. Two factors are likely to make up Clegg’s mind. First, whether the Lib Dems can succeed in getting their amendment on an in or out referendum down and second how many Lib Dem MPs look like following Heath’s lead.
Previous
Kevyn Bodman
February 15th, 2008 3:40pm Report this commentOr Clegg can change the party line, recognising that the LibDems should honour their manifesto promise. A temporary embarrassment for him , maybe.But each of the 2 options put forward in the original post could lead to longer-term embarrassment. And implementing the manifesto pledge is the honourable thing, that all 'honourable' and 'right honourable' members (don't laugh) should do anyway.
Cowleybunga
February 15th, 2008 5:33pm Report this commentHeath is not the only one who is cheesed off. Lembit might well stick with the promise of a referendum too. And there are a whole bunch of the backbenchers who will vote for a referendum on the "treaty" whatever the leadership say...
Austin Barry
February 15th, 2008 8:31pm Report this commentDoes it matter? The Liberals are like eunuchs in a brothel: they can flap around screeching at the ceiling while pretty boy Clegg flutters his eyelashes at a disinterested electorate, but what's the point?
Praguetory
February 16th, 2008 8:00am Report this commentI had a lot of respect for Heath before this - his ideas around MPs standards have been good. His stock continues to rise.
Praguetory
February 16th, 2008 8:01am Report this commentI had a lot of respect for Heath before this - his ideas around MPs standards have been good. His stock continues to rise.
Back to top