Putting the Lib Dem rebellion into context
Peter Hoskin 12:51pm
A useful guide from Philip Cowley and Mark Stuart:
More here.If 11 Liberal Democrat MPs vote against the whip, it will be the largest Lib Dem rebellion so far this Parlaiment. (The current record is 10, on an amendment to the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill in November).If 16 Liberal Democrat MPs vote against the whip, it will be the largest Lib Dem rebellion since the party was founded in 1988-89.
If 30 Liberal Democrat MPs vote against the whip (something we doubt very much), it will be the largest rebellion by the Liberal Democrats or any of their predecessor parties since the Maurice Debate of 1918, which saw the Liberal Party split in two.
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Yam Yam
December 9th, 2010 12:56pm Report this commentAnd if all the Lib Dem MPs vote against the whip...
Austin Barry
December 9th, 2010 12:58pm Report this commentWhatever the scale of the Lib Dem mess, Rinka, the Hound of Exmoor, will be cheerfully wagging his tail in the Elysian Fields.
Norman Dee
December 9th, 2010 1:06pm Report this commentThank you Austin Barry for reminding me how ignorant I am.
However, I think that those of the lib dem party who refuse to be or are not involved in the day to day activities of the Coalition, are still behaving as if they are not in government and not likely to be in government, so it's back to supporting the unsupportable, and generally being a noisy minority and distraction again.
PayDirt
December 9th, 2010 1:53pm Report this commentNick Clegg branded opponents of tuition fee rises as "dreamers", he is dealing with "the way the world is". Meanwhile, Mr Cable said only Father Christmas could satisfy the demands for expensive, popular policies.
And who is playing HoHo Santa Claus for the Welsh and Scottish segments of the UK?
Senor Frizby
December 9th, 2010 1:59pm Report this commentHughes looks like a confused fool. I would rather vote for someone who is sure that what they are doing is right than someone who is bound by their conscience to do what they previously thought was right and now understand to be wrong.
Another fine mess Labour got everyone into.
Rhoda Klapp
December 9th, 2010 2:16pm Report this commentPutting the Lib Dem rebellion into context
Storm, teacup?
lids
December 9th, 2010 2:30pm Report this commentForget the LibDems, I have sent a message of support to David Davis, the one man who represents the true conservative cause and is courageous enough to vote against this travesty of a government. There is talk of ten or more Tories following his lead.
God, if only he'd delivered a speech without notes to the tory party conference......As for the toadies voting with the government today, they are not representing their natural voters. We shall not forget, we in the trampled upon middle...
Cameo Parkway Kid
December 9th, 2010 2:32pm Report this commentNorm - prob is, that most Lib Dems and their voters, didn't / don 't want to be in 'this' coalition. In bed with the Scumsuckers makes them feel dirty you see - and rightly so. And Senor, Simon Hughes is only doing what is constituents want him to - vote against this proposal, rightly or wrongly. And the mess is all down to the Shyster from Sheffield. This should, and could have, been handled so serenely. But then again. Trouble is, PR and spin will only get you so far, and as soon as Shameron's morals (or lack of) come under question, the filthy veneer is stripped bare. I guess Clegg's got another two years tops before he starts looking for another job. Laters - anybody got a shovel, I've been told by the great tax-dodger Hammond I've got to clear my neighbours drive.
EyesWideOpen
December 9th, 2010 3:09pm Report this comment"Thus conscience does make cowards of us all."
Ah yes, say what you like about Shakespeare, but he was quite good with words. You have to give him that.
Rhoda Klapp
December 9th, 2010 3:43pm Report this commentWhat did they want, Kid? For years it has been the heart of Lib-Dem policy to somehow get the balance of power. That is supposed to be why they want PR. They never stated openly that this balance was only to be obtained in alliance with Labour, so tacitly the Tories were a potential partner too. Well, that is what they have got. With great power comes great responsibility (Benjamin Parker). What is happening now just shows up the cloud-cuckoo land they have inhabited these..well I don't know how many years. I hope they get the electoral result they deserve.
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