Have the Lib Dems got a real voice in government?

The key lies in the jobs that they hold.

By James Macintyre Published 28 June 2010 17:03

In the course of conversations for a piece on the coalition in this week's New Statesman, one observer made the claim that the Lib Dems lack influence on the coalition because of the nature of the jobs that they are in.

The theory is that Nick Clegg's decision not to hold a ministerial brief could backfire. Clegg was compared to William Gladstone when he outlined a range of constitutional reform proposals last month. Yet the exact nature of those reforms remains unclear, and he has since been dubbed "minister for foreign languages", a reference to his role as a sort of multilingual ambassador for the coalition abroad under William Hague, the Foreign Secretary.

Then there is Chris Huhne, who, as Secretary of State for Energy, appears to be charged with foisting nuclear power on his party. This for a man who, incidentally, opposed Trident during his leadership campaign against Nick Clegg in 2007.

Danny Alexander is highly able and intelligent, but critics claim he is nervous and less assured in the spotlight than his predecessor as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Laws.

Some sources also claim that Vince Cable has been "muzzled" by both David Cameron and Clegg from speaking out across economic affairs by having been given the specific post of Business Secretary. They also argue that he is "locked in" to defending the unpopular elements of the coalition's agenda.

This may all be a little unfair. But when there is a reshuffle, the Lib Dems might want to push for a more influential position in this government.

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10 comments

Mon, 2010-06-28 19:24 — clem the gem (not verified)

I think it will be some time before we know the truth of how this coalition works, and to speculate as to where there may be splits is an amusing parlour game, but less usefull than putting up a decent opposition to the cuts that are being inflicted on us right now.

Wed, 2010-06-30 04:05 — clem the gem (not verified)

Jane, there is a link between Nuclear Power and Nuclear weapons - it is very difficult to built the latter without the former. This would be why most people are worried about N.Korea and Iran and their reactors. You need to enrich the uranium fuel to make it fissile.

I cant see a way to concievably get rid of Nuclear Power for the forseeable future, unless we return to pre 1900 levels of energy consumption and population. But even I can see that many LibDem activists saw themselves as being members of the only party to seriously want to get rid of Trident, and at many anti-nuclear energy protests over the past 30 years, Liberals and Lib Dems have been to the fore.

It does seem germain to point out this contradiction.

Wed, 2010-06-30 04:11 — clem the gem (not verified)

The death of the Liberal Party has been predicted again and again, and has yet to happen. To those who find it great fun to go for the LibDem jugular, may I ask just who do you think Labour will have to convince in order to win the next election?

And who do we need as allies in this parliament to oppose the worst of this raft of class-war legislation?

Yes, the Orange book clique are fair game, but politics is also an artform, not just pure combat. We must defend our people as best we can, and build alliances where we can to get this lot out.

Mon, 2010-06-28 21:07 — Red Rag

The Orange Tories do have a voice in government, the problem for them is no one is taking a blind bit of notice of it.

http://redrag1.blogspot.com/

Mon, 2010-06-28 22:40 — Nick (not verified)

It's seems quite simple really. We had a Tory party, a Liberal party and a Labour Party. The Liberals have become new Tories glued to the old style Tories. There's no middle ground anymore; just left or right. The Liberal no longer have a voice; they have drowned in this coalition and will never emerge again. Cameron has brainwashed Clegg and Cable to the point that the Liberals have disappeared for good. Clegg may as well resign himself to wearing the blue tie for good; for orange is no more. Centre ground politics (as if it ever existed) has gone for ever.

Like you say Clem it's all very amusing but we need Labour putting up a very vocal opposition, the sooner the better.

Mon, 2010-06-28 22:53 — Graeme (not verified)

People like Clegg are obviously Tories and now we know it. We won't get fooled again.

Tue, 2010-06-29 00:46 — Rhos (not verified)

Just wait until the next local elections - the Lib Dems will then see how betrayed their voters feel and they shall be wiped off the face of local government, pre-empting their fate in the next general election - a shame really, as a true Liberal voice is what is needed in this country, not left or right wing dogma. Nick Clegg will go down as the ruin of the Liberals and poor Vince Cable a coward for not follow his own convictions.

Tue, 2010-06-29 09:43 — Tom (not verified)

H'mmm, so it's nothing to do with the fact that despite getting 23% of the vote, the Lib Dems got less than 9% of the MPs?

Where is the voting reform promised by Labour ?

Tue, 2010-06-29 11:18 — Ona

Orange Bookers are in alignment with Tories so why expect a distinct voice. Its not the jobs they do but the basis of the coalition negotiation - they didn't draw red lines over which they would not tread - instead they stated from the outset they would ally with Tories even if they didn't get PR.

Tue, 2010-06-29 18:36 — Jane (not verified)

I'm trying to work out the link between Trident and nuclear power. Oh I know it's the word nuclear which means it must immediately be the work of the devil and labelled with a CND sign, unless it is coupled with the word medical. Nice to see deep thinking in the New Statesman.