Tory demands for a referendum on the European Union's Lisbon treaty were rejected by 311 votes to 248 in the Commons tonight. Although 29 Labour MPs rebelled against Gordon Brown by backing a referendum and a handful of Tories defied David Cameron by rejecting one, the Liberal Democrats managed to grab the headlines by putting their less significant differences over Europe up in neon lighting.
Three senior frontbenchers - David Heath, Alistair Carmichael and Tim Farron - had to resign their posts after refusing Nick Clegg's orders to abstain when the Tories proposed a referendum. Clegg's desire to show strong leadership backfired: 13 of his 63 MPs defied him. Some are bemused by his tactics, saying he will only make the party look shambolic in the public's eyes - not principled as Clegg hoped. To make matters worse, Clegg hinted that the three who quit would be back before the general election. He also appeared ready to let off junior frontbenchers who rebelled with a rebuke, which looks more like weak than strong leadership. It's a mess.
In public, the row was gentlemanly, the letters between the three ex-spokesmen and the leader were amicable, their resignations more in sorrow than anger. But as they head to Liverpool for the party's spring conference on Friday, some LibDem activists will be wondering whether their leader picked the right issue on which to have his first trial of strength with his party.
Nick Clegg has certainly attached the colour yellow to the activities of his party. On an issue of such gravity, He orders abstention.
The ultimate disgrace though, is the fact that he didnt allow his members to vote on the wishes of their electorate. This is a clear black mark on the concept of democracy, and a slap in the face of the British Public in general.
A leader? huh, i wouldn't trust Clegg with a pencil
Posted by: Antireptilian | Thursday, 06 March 2008 at 10:33 AM