Tebbit: odds "even" on whether there is "real trouble" ahead for the coalition

But the real rumblings will come from the Lib Dems next year

By James Macintyre Published 10 September 2010 18:09

On his ever-interesting blog, the Tory right's guru and former party chair Norman Tebbit has this to say in relation to recent divisions within the coalition over the Alternative Vote:

It will be interesting to see whether the potential disunity of the coalition benches is greater than the bonds binding the Coalition together. There are some formidable Tory backbenchers, Richard Shepherd, David Davis, Chris Chope, Charles Walker, Anne Main and the newly elected David Kawczynski, who all spoke critically in the debate. Some voted against the Government whip that night. Many others were put out that the debate was too short for them to be called. They may well seek to make amendments which the Government will resist. There may be alliances between the rebels and the official Opposition. And there is the much less predictable House of Lords to be persuaded to give the Bill a fair wind.

At the end of it, we will have a much better idea of whether the Coalition's whole programme will survive more or less intact, or whether there is real trouble ahead. At the moment the odds are fairly even.

Tebbit is certainly right to highlight the potential trouble of the Tory rebels, and it is interesting to note the individuals he name-checks.

But for me, the real trouble will come from the junior partners in this coalition, the Liberal Democrats. Next week's annual conference will be calm compared to next year's, coming as it will after a hammering in the local elections and the possible loss of a the AV referendum itself.

Tags: Coalition Norman Tebbit

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9 comments

Sat, 2010-09-11 23:56 — thinkov

we are they luddite not elitist not apart side by side and shouting

Sun, 2010-09-12 11:21 — swatantra nandanwar

Tebbitt is saying neither one thing nor the other, but going on previous performance Tebbitt and his right wing skeptiks will do their best to undermine the Cameron Coalition.
The Coalition will soldier on despite whatever, its got no alternative, for 3 or more years, and ride the strom brewing over cuts.
If anything, it'll be the Skeptiks that bring down the Coalition and not the Labour Opposition.

Sat, 2010-09-11 08:37 — Luddite (not verified)

It's the Labour party that's in the political shit. We have allowed ourselves to become disconnected form our traditional supporters the much insulted and exploited working class and without their support. Labour will stay in the political shit.

Sat, 2010-09-11 09:41 — thinkov

luddite we're sorting ourselves out

I was nice to a David Milliband supporter today

there's no doubt that the lib dems will fragment and fall away over the next year

looking forward to going shouting at them next saturday in liverpool

Sat, 2010-09-11 13:45 — Luddite (not verified)

Pointless shouting and screaming and hurling abuse. Is the reason the political-left is in the shit. We have lost the support of much of the working class and all the abuse and screaming isn't going to change that fact. We no longer speak their language we don't listen to their genuine concerns. We carry on not caring. Many may not support the coalition government but very few support and thrust us.

Fri, 2010-09-10 18:54 — Reginald-Fah-fah

In my opinion, the Coalition Government represents the widest spectum of political views. From the far right like myself, to the far left like Charles Kennedy. So the people of Great Britain have never been represented so equally.

The Coalition Government is working for everyone in the 'big society'!

Not like 'New Labour' "Some were to the opinion that the white and black working class had no where else to go." by Diana Abbotts. Source: Skynews Labour leadership debate.

In my eyes, FPTP is a British custom and I believe AV would only confuse the lay person and make them feel more disconnected from their Parliament.

Talk about getting the Range Rovers out for the 2010 Election, I had to explain to the 'Lay Person' about'WASTED votes'and how much their vote counted to form a majority government.

Already, Many people have asked me:
"what is AV?"
"How do I vote?"
"Can I trust AV?"

The big question on the 'Lay Person's mind; Who is going to explain AV electoral system to me?

Fri, 2010-09-10 19:02 — Nick (not verified)

The explanation of the referendum and the electoral system is apparently being left to the Boundaries Commission. The promotion of public awareness is down to them, according to the bill.

Fri, 2010-09-10 20:00 — Daragh McDowell (not verified)

Hmmm, so Norman Tebbit, who has been against the coalition from the start, has been writing the same 'coalition is heading for trouble' column for months now, and has literally ZERO political influence within the modern Tory party is worthy of highlighting... why?

Slow news days James?