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Wednesday, 26th March 2008

Time to quiz Clegg

Peter Hoskin 6:02pm

Thanks to all the CoffeeHousers who posted questions for Nick Clegg over the past two weeks. Phone lines have now closed, so to speak – and we've picked out the best ten to put to the Lib Dem leader. Here are the winning entries:

“If the Lib Dems hold the balance of power in 2010, which Cabinet portfolios are you after, and who would fill them?” - Peter

“You have made rather anti-government spending noises recently. Is there a figure for spending as a %age of GDP which you would regard as roughly about right – 35/40/45/50%?” - Tim Hedges

“I am a small "l" liberal. Why should I vote for the Lib Dems rather than the Conservatives?” - Syllabub

“Would you and your wife, under any circumstances at all, send either of your two young sons to your local English comprehensive school? Do you know any of your colleagues who do this? Do you know any of your colleagues who do not do this? Is it, like religion, a matter for the individual conscience?” - Fergus Pickering

“What would you do to help those on lower incomes currently facing a massive tax hike when the 10% band rises to 20% next month?” - BluePorcupine

“MPs were already a devalued currency with the public following years of labour spin, expense fraud etc. Would you agree that their stock has diminished even further following the refusal of the government, helped by your party's abstention, to give a referendum on the Lisbon constitution? Can you understand why people are put off politicians by this cynical game of MPs putting party before country?” - Pete

“If there were to be a hung parliament at the next election, would it not make more sense for you as an Orange Book Lib Dem, to align yourself with the Cameroons given their aims on education and the economy? And is the only thing stopping you from doing this the fact that the majority of your MPs Kennedy et al, are far more Labour inclined, if so are you not in the wrong party?” - Nick Kaplan

“Will having an in/out referendum on Europe be in your next manifesto and be a precondition of you joining a coalition government? I only ask because I suspect that this policy was only invented to get you out of your Lisbon promise and you will now discard it. Tell me I am wrong.” - Matthew Turnbull

“You had the courage publically to declare that you are an atheist. How does your secular outlook affect your political views?” - Simon Maynard

Who is your favourite 'Star Wars' character and why?” - Guy Incognito

Expect Clegg's answers early next week. In the meantime, there are CoffeeHouse t-shirts available for the commenters whose questions were chosen. Just get in touch with me on phoskin at spectator.co.uk, and we'll get them on to you.

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Comments

Liz Upton

March 26th, 2008 9:40pm

A shame it's closed today - before lunchtime today I'd not even considered asking this, but I've been made aware that it deserves to be asked - what does Clegg think would be 'good for the teeth of the people of this country'?

The Wonderful Jones

March 27th, 2008 10:53am

I can't Adam and Eve my question about his photo wasn't chosen. Oh well.

Guy Incognito

March 28th, 2008 8:49am

Mr Jones: I cannot believe my question about his favourite *Star Wars* character *has* been chosen. I wasn't even that interested: I just wanted to see how low he'd stoop. In retrospect, I should have asked which he thought was the best film: Smokey & the Bandit II or The Cannonball Run II.

And if I find out his favourite is Han Solo, then I'm changing mine. Probably to Wedge.

Matthew Turnbull

March 30th, 2008 2:24pm

Thanks for picking one of my questions. If it possible at the same time for Mr Clegg to enlighten us as to whether they will abstain in the Lords or vote for an in/out referendum I would be very intreagued. I suspect though that the Libs policy was only designed to get them out of their Lisbon promise and has already been ditched. Tell me I am wrong! I am not holding my breath!!

Chris

April 1st, 2008 11:20am

Given his extraordinary interview with GQ, perhaps he would be more comfortable answering questions such as 'why do you like wearing women’s cloths?’ ‘what do you have against rare cacti?’ and how many ‘men and women he has not slept with!’ – no policy questions please remember he is a Liberal?

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