Lib Dems haven't given up hope of Short Money deal
The Liberal Democrats still haven't given up hope of a deal whereby they will be able to carry on receiving Short Money - the state funds which Opposition parties traditionally get to compensate for the fact that governing parties benefit from the resources of the civil service.
I reported three weeks ago on how the Lib Dems were still hoping to get Short funding, though they ackowledged it would inevitably be less than the Β£1.75 million a year that they get now.
I'm told that Short funds paid for 32 staff at Lib Dem headquarters in Cowley Street. Ten of those have now got jobs on the government pay-roll as part of the coalition, so there are around two dozen staff at Cowley Street who face the sack if a deal isn't done soon.
I'm Michael Crick, and I'm Newsnight's political editor. My guiding rule is that in any story there's usually something the politicians would prefer the world not to know. My job is to find that out. Follow me on
Comment number 1.
At 8th Jun 2010, stevie wrote:you cannot be in government and get paid for being in opposition when ...you ....are er, NOT
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 8th Jun 2010, barriesingleton wrote:WESTMINSTER IS SORT OF 'ALICE IN NARNIA' (#1)
The usual rules do not apply. Nothing is what it seems, and they all talk out of the back of their wardrobes.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 10th Jun 2010, JunkkMale wrote:'2. At 11:56pm on 08 Jun 2010, barriesingleton wrote:
..they all talk out of the back of their wardrobes.
To be fair many do seem also to be walking, or get dragged, out of them, on occasion.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)