Calling Nick Clegg's bluff
Fraser Nelson 11:46am
An early test of Nick Clegg’s credibility is at hand. Labour’s Ian Davidson has sent a letter to him proposing a solution: a two-question referendum on both the Lisbon Treaty and on EU membership – the “in our out” question which Clegg would have us believe he wants so badly. If the Tories back Davidson’s plan (no reason why they shouldn’t) then a trio of Conservatives, LibDems and Labour rebels could actually deliver the referendum that all three of them promised at election time.
So accepting a vote on the Lisbon Treaty would, surely, be a small price to pay for the in-or-out question which Mr Clegg tells us is such a point of burning principle for the LibDems. Wouldn’t it?
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Comments
Nick Kaplan
February 26th, 2008 12:40pmSuch a proposal would make sense to any rational thinking politician who was not lying about his desire for an in or out vote. Of course Clegg is neither and is therefore unlikely to pay too much attention to such an idea.
H. Williams
February 26th, 2008 12:50pmI am not so sure that Nick Clegg is bluffing - though I agree it would be quite difficult not to vote for two questions. Putting things in preference order is a long standing Liberal principle and so giving people more choices on Europe would be entirely appropriate.
Faceless Bureaucrat
February 26th, 2008 2:02pmI suspect Clegg will 'bottle' it - a different story if Huhne was at the helm. Another missed opportunity by the Lib Dems...
John Adlington
February 26th, 2008 2:38pmIt will be nice to hear Mr. Clegg's response to this. Will he be able to avoid insulting the electorate with the "too complicated" explanation?
Max Kaye
February 26th, 2008 5:45pmNot for nothing is yellow the Lib-Dem colour of choice.
Yellow - a paler shade of Brown.