Morning:
6°c
Nick Clegg: Coalition will survive even if voting reform Bill is defeated
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor8 Sep 2010
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today signalled that he would not quit the Government even if its electoral reform Bill was defeated.
In a surprise move that gave succour to Tory rebels opposed to the plans for an AV referendum, Mr Clegg said that the Coalition would survive even if the Liberal Democrat-backed legislation fell.
He told MPs: “The persistence and resilience of this coalition is not dependent on any one single piece of legislation.”
His comments are sure to be seized on by rebel MPs who have so far remained loyal following threats from the whips that their opposition could topple the entire Government.
Lib-Dem MPs would also put huge pressure on Mr Clegg to quit the Coalition if he failed to secure their cherished ambition for electoral reform.
Signs of divisions re-emerged, with Tory MPs lining up at Prime Minister's Questions to hit out at proposals to hold the referendum on May 5 next year.
There is concern over plans to hold the plebiscite on the same day as voters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland elect members of their devolved legislatures. Already, 43 have signed a Commons motion calling for the date to be changed because of fears the vote could effectively be skewed.
Tory backbencher Eleanor Laing asked Mr Clegg how he could “justify” the £100 million cost of the referendum when families and businesses were facing tough economic times.
Fellow Conservative Christopher Chope asked him if the Liberal Democrats would leave the Coalition if they failed to get legislation paving the way for a referendum on the Alternative Vote through Parliament.
Mr Clegg told him: “This Bill is only one part of a much, much wider programme of political reform, including giving people the power of recall ... to clean up party funding, to produce proposals finally to reform the House of Lords. Political reform doesn't begin or end with this one single Bill.”
The plan is contained in the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill, which gained its second reading in the Commons on Monday, although 10 Tories rebelled.
Reader views (11)
Im amazed at the ignorance of so many that comment here. Its not about conflicting views but just ignorance.
Firstly the Lib Dems are not a insignificant party.
Nick Clegg is not self serving (although I too do not support everything he is justifying within the coalition)
This coalition is serving this country (even though I personaly grow alarmed by some negative Tory Policies rearing up)
Lib Dems will not disappear like suggested by someone here who obviously isnt Politicaly in tune.
A new order will appear in the future, a realignment of Classical Liberalterians and then amongst Liberal Social Democrats. You will always have Labour, Libweral and Conservative but new alliances are on the cards. WHY? WELL WE NEED IT!!
You dont become a clone when you join a political party, just like you might change your voting preferences from time to time.
And we do need a move towards PR - simply to ensure everyones vote has some weight!
- kevin victor, uk, 08/11/2010 20:37
Report abuse
To any MP of any party considering voting electoral reform down so you can carry on being elected by a minority: we'll remember you. At the next unfair, undemocratic election on the old system, we'll boot you out anyway!
- Nigel, London, 09/09/2010 18:58
Report abuse
Same as all politicians this Clegg bloke is, full of hot air, wind and urine.
- stuart, chesterfield,derbyshire, 09/09/2010 12:06
Report abuse
No surprise there then.....I expect he's so terrified of an election he'd have nowhere else to go!
- wildejamey, London, 09/09/2010 00:49
Report abuse
I think the Lib Dems will survive but with a different leader, no I didn't vote for them, but I know many who did, and it was, not, for Nick Clegg, although he did sell them well (to them, not me). And to the one time Blair admirer and reluctant fan, still, I think after the last 30 years or so that they, and others, will still be hoping for a party to cast their vote to.
- M, London, 08/09/2010 19:58
Report abuse
The LibDems won't exist after the next election even if we get electoral reform.
- John David, London, 08/09/2010 17:25
Report abuse
Nick Clegg is wonderful and so is David Cameron.
This is a world full of frustrated, envious people.
Leave the coalition alone!
- Michaella, London UK, 08/09/2010 17:13
Report abuse
Clegg has a taste of Power,something he will never have again in his life in politics so no surprise that he will not quit goverment.He is a small fry in a huge pond,with less than 20% of the public supporting him or his party.He is only their because the Conservative leader was to scared to stand up to him or his demands.
- dave, london, 08/09/2010 17:08
Report abuse
Nick Clegg is only focused on staying in power they are like kids with new toys ,this wont last watched him today at prime ministers question time and he was pathetic .
- dan henry, glasgow scotland, 08/09/2010 16:25
Report abuse
Andrew, " Creating private sector jobs " try telling that to the 10,000 Connaught worker's, who are about to lose theirs.
- Joe, Exeter, 08/09/2010 16:17
Report abuse
The Bill will go through, as the voters should decide. But it shows that Nick Clegg is focused on the economy and sees that as the real prize. Facing down the Labour deficit and creating private sector jobs.
- Andrew, London, 08/09/2010 15:19
Report abuse
