Clegg keeps digging
Peter Hoskin 3:56pm
As James Kirkup reports over at Three Line Whip, Nick Clegg’s still getting himself into a "pickle" over Europe. Here are the three key points which came out of his media briefing earlier today:
“Yes, [Clegg]'s put his MPs on a three line whip not to vote at all when the Commons decides on a Tory bid for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
But no, he won't say if he'll sack the (significant) number of front-benchers who may well defy him on that: ‘I'm allowed to decide at that time.’
And no, he (probably) won't allow his side to back a clever two-question amendment being worked up by Ian Davidson, a Labour rebel, which might just have given him a get-out: ‘We certainly aren't getting into game-playing.’”
And so Clegg continues to foist his bizarre position on the rest of the Lib Dems. But his reluctance to confirm whether or not he’ll sack front-bench rebels suggests that he's worried. Particularly after I Want a Referendum’s bombshell, a pledge to sack the rebels could well amount to a decimation of the Lib Dems' top team. Clegg's trying to avoid that difficult situation.
But what of the third point? As Fraser wrote, Davidson's sound proposal is an "early test of Nick Clegg's credibility" and of his alleged commtment to an in-or-out referendum. Simply put: Clegg has now failed that test. And in doing so, he's dug himself a very deep hole indeed.
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Comments
Kevyn Bodman
March 3rd, 2008 5:11pmIt's an idea that comes up in the 'Dilbert' cartoons: promote someone into management because he's got good hair. Of course it's ridiculous but it's close enough to the truth to be both pointed and funny. How do the LibDems feel now?Clegg's still got good hair but he has been rumbled as not much good in less time than any other British politician in living memory. Meanwhile the whole country mught suffer as a result of his position on the referendum because the government might win Wednesday's vote if the LibDems abstain in sufficient numbers.
Max Kaye
March 3rd, 2008 5:34pmThe Lib-Dems are probably regretting that they passed over Killer Cable and are once again sharpening their knives.
TGF UKIP
March 3rd, 2008 5:44pmKevyn Bodman, like the Dilbert comparison. But who else do we know who got very early promotion due to nice hair and a winsome style and who has also proved remarkably good at shotting himself in the foot? Now let me see now .....
RW
March 3rd, 2008 6:34pmCable relegated himself; too old, he said (and incidentally far too clever to end up stuck with the leadership of that wittering bunch of malcontents, when he can still be a much more effective voice on the sidelines). Meanwhile Huhne was dead right about Calamity. Barring another assassination the LDs now have their very own version of Groundhog Day - GroundClegg Day, wherein our Nick gets to play out the same pigheaded misjudgements day after day, never learning from his mistakes. Couldn't have happened to a nicer chap.
David Lindsay
March 3rd, 2008 6:41pmThe Lib Dems are 20 years old today. Doesn't that thought bring a tear to your eye?
john problem
March 3rd, 2008 6:46pmIt's a lousy job though, isn't it? Little influence upon the course of this great nation, no future, and now hammered by friends and foes alike. Maybe he'll realise that the only way to enjoying power is to gang up with the Tories and do the nation a favour by getting rid of the present faux government as soon as possible. Otherwise, what is the raison d'etre of the DimLebs?
RW
March 3rd, 2008 8:07pmThe LDs haven't had a raison d'etre for 80 odd years, except maybe as a protest vote for people who couldn't bear the thought of their vote actually serving some purpose, but they've acquired one in recent times. Bitching about their leader. It's the only thing which has ever united them.
mart
March 3rd, 2008 8:35pm"He's put his MPs on a three line whip not to vote at all when the Commons decides on a Tory bid for a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty". I think this is a disgrace. How can it be right for MPs to be sent by their constituents to Parliament, only to be told by their party they must not vote on a matter of national importance.
johnmc
March 4th, 2008 8:00pmIf the Lib Dems honoured their commitment to a referendum, there is a slight possibility the government could be defeated. Cleggs deceit will ensure the liars in New Labout win. That being the case, why will we need 600 odd M.P.'s.....everything of any import will be decided in Brussels and imposed upon us.....why then will we need UK MP's?