As I say in the column this week, there’s an expectation in Westminster that David Laws will be back in the Cabinet sooner rather than later. The broadly sympathetic public reaction to his resignation suggests that there’d be little public opposition to him returning in six months or so.
Laws’ quotes today do rather make you think that he is planning a return. They don’t read like the words of a man planning to quit politics which is what many of his friends feared he might do last weekend. Laws, rightly, points out that his decision not to go public about his relationship meant that he was claiming less in expenses than he otherwise could. He also points out that he, contrary to some of the reporting, is not rich enough to be able to live comfortably in two places without claiming any expenses—I’ve always thought that rumours of Laws’ wealth have been rather exaggerated given that he left the City aged 28.
Interestingly, Laws says that he feels a certain sense of relief that his sexuality is now public. He also says that he feels ‘as a politician, a bit of shame not to have set a better example to people who have the same issues and who might expect a bit more leadership from the top.’
All in all, Laws deals with all the issues that it was felt he needed to comment on. At this rate, his return could well come before the turn of the year.
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