Make-your-mind-up-time for Lib Dem MPs
It should be the easiest question any politician could face: will you support the government of which you are a member?
But these are different times, with the Minister responsible for the UK Government's higher education policy preparing, possibly, to abstain in next week's key votes on (his) plans to raise university tuition fees in England.
The Welsh Liberal Democrat MPs have all said they will not support the policy. One, Mark Williams, has said recently that he will vote against. Roger Williams is still agonising. Jenny Willott (she's the lady in red in the picture) was quoted in the last week: "I have said all along I will vote against any rises in tuition fees. The Browne Review in its current format, although there are parts I agree with, is not something I can support."
Except, she says she was misquoted. It is true she had previously said on TV that she would consider abstaining. The Lib Dems' head of media contacted the Echo about its report. He was given a copy of the reporter's shorthand note. The reporter, Ed Walker, has heard nothing from the Lib Dems since and the MP has not as yet demanded a correction.
Her office say Jenny Willott is "in the process of writing" to the Echo. Almost a week after publication, the Lib Dem rapid rebuttal unit is still cranking through the gears.
An official Welsh Lib Dem picked up on her comments and also on the clarification she later issued.
The stakes are high for Jenny Willott. Not only does Cardiff Central contain thousands of students, were she to vote against the Government she would also lose her job as a junior member of it - as parliamentary private secretary to Energy Secretary Chris Huhne.
So how will she vote next Thursday? She has said she's waiting to see the motions - one of which has apparently been published. She is not returning calls on the subject. Her office decline to ask her on behalf of the media.
All parties have changed their stance on tuition fees over time and it is a tough decision for Lib Dem MPs. My guess is that Jenny Willott will abstain, as Lib Dem MPs are allowed to do under the coalition agreement, but it may be a few days before we discover her decision.
UPDATE: Jenny Willott has posted an update on her position
Hello. I'm David Cornock and I'm parliamentary correspondent for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales. This is the blog for the latest news and gossip from the Westminster village - with a Welsh accent.
Comments
or to comment.