A ludicrous, posturing display by the Lib Dems today, when, led by their foreign affairs spokesman, Ed Davey, they walked out of the chamber over the Speaker’s refusal to allow a debate on their amendment to the motion on the Treaty of Lisbon, calling for a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU.
The Lib Dems’ call for an "in-out" referendum is in truth nothing more than a smokescreen for their refusal to back Conservative demands for a referendum on the treaty itself. It is a spineless, cynical position rendered even more shameful by the ersatz outrage they displayed today. It was, as John Redwood put it, nothing more than synthetic anger.
I spoke to a Lib Dem MP shortly afterwards and suggested to him that the incident had done his party no good. He agreed with me.
“It was born out of desperation,” he said. “I swear I saw Ed Davey smiling as he left the chamber.”
Small wonder that people’s faith in politicians continues to wither.
The Lib Dems’ call for an "in-out" referendum is in truth nothing more than a smokescreen for their refusal to back Conservative demands for a referendum on the treaty itself. It is a spineless, cynical position rendered even more shameful by the ersatz outrage they displayed today. It was, as John Redwood put it, nothing more than synthetic anger.
I spoke to a Lib Dem MP shortly afterwards and suggested to him that the incident had done his party no good. He agreed with me.
“It was born out of desperation,” he said. “I swear I saw Ed Davey smiling as he left the chamber.”
Small wonder that people’s faith in politicians continues to wither.
2 comments:
But what does Joe public make of it?
Are they astute enough to see it for what it really was?
I sometimes wonder.
Did Mr Davey get thrown out, or did he walk out as you suggest?
Upon closer examination it would appear he was thrown out.
Post a Comment