Why Nick Clegg Is Also Right
There is also the matter of Nick Clegg’s reaction. Ali suggested that this was simply another example of his inadequacy, another botched response to bad circumstance. However I consider Davis not to be the only one who comes out favourably from a comparison with Jacqui Smith, consider this:
David Cameron must come clean on what has really happened and why David Davis has really resigned.
where she seemingly fails to even acknowledge the possibility of acting out of principle to this:
I think it is right from time to time to signal as a party leader that we are capable of setting aside the pursuit of narrow party-political advantage in the name of that wider principle.
where Clegg realises that this is what has occurred and follows suit. I was expecting the standard opportunism from the Liberal Democrats over this matter, as they delight in by-elections, but instead I witness a non-partisan response that will let the debate Davis requested be carried out with total clarity. The Liberal Democrats were unlikely to win anyway and the minor chance of acquiring another MP {much as they deserve one, having been entirely unfairly disadvantaged by First Past The Post} would not have outweighed the damage done to the public interest by the distraction of the Liberal Democrat candidate.
Posted in: By-Elections, LibDems, The Home Office
My gripe with Nick Clegg is twofold.
1) He leads the Liberal Democrat party, and (as I argued earlier) David Davis has done a disservice to liberal democracy. By-elections are to be called and fought when there is need for an MP for the constituency. This is being fought neither because of need nor for the sake of the constituency.
2) Even looking at this purely pragmatically, the LibDems are effectively endorsing Davis’ actions. It’s fine for MPs to get in a strop and call by-elections for no reason. If he believes that his MPs promote civil liberties, he should try to get one of them elected. That’s what elections are for.
It’s fine for MPs to get in a strop and call by-elections for no reason.
Surely even you must accept that this is a grotesque distortion of David Davis’ reasoning and actions?
He leads the Liberal Democrat party, and (as I argued earlier) David Davis has done a disservice to liberal democracy.
That would be the whip system and the use of public money to bribe the DUP, I think you’ll find.
If he believes that his MPs promote civil liberties, he should try to get one of them elected. That’s what elections are for.
If we are unable to trust manifestos exactly what are we meant to use to determine who is and is not worthy of power?