The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Laws’s return to government looks imminent

The former cabinet minister is turning down invitations for events from mid-March.

By George Eaton Published 16 February 2011 16:33

David Laws's return to government looks imminent. In tomorrow's NS, Kevin Maguire reveals that the former chief secretary to the Treasury is "turning down most invitations for events from mid-March onwards".

The Lib Dem Orange Booker recently returned to the fray with a series of op-ed pieces defending the government's economic policy. So long as he escapes serious censure from the standards inquiry, Laws is likely to be handed a ministerial-level post, though a return to cabinet is unlikely.

David Cameron has made no secret of his desire to bring the Tories' favourite Lib Dem back into government. Asked in November if he wanted Laws to return, he simply replied: "Yes, and soon."

One persuasive theory is that Laws will return in a reshuffle of Ken Clarke's Justice team. Cameron is dissatisfied with the department's performance and is troubled by the tabloid attacks on the coalition over crime. Laws, who impressed Conservatives with his articulate defence of the government's austerity measures, could be the man to steady the ship.

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22 comments

Wed, 2011-02-16 17:18 — Freeman2

So the £40,000 is just a storm in a teacup eh? Let's see how the next person accused of benefit fraud gets on.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7780642/MPs-Expe...

Wed, 2011-02-16 17:31 — Giles Andrewes (not verified)

He is probably cancelling engagements from March because he knows the CPS is currently looking at his file and he is likely to end up being detained.

I looked at his website recently and it was very strange that he appeared to have deleted anything on there written prior to June 2010 after he was forced out of the Treasury.

Wed, 2011-02-16 17:55 — Mikey Temps (not verified)

I for one welcome Mr Law's return. He's the perfect turn off to any real Liberal Democrat that doesn't sing from the orange hymn sheet and a star example of this Tory led government's crony-ism. He's an excellent poster boy for everything that's wrong with this government of the rich by the rich and for the rich.

Thu, 2011-02-17 19:36 — Clem the Gem

This lot have no shame whatsoever - remind me of New Labour - bunch of tasteless shysters.
http://clemthegem.wordpress.com

Wed, 2011-02-16 18:04 — madasbalooons (not verified)

So that's alright then, fiddle your expenses, go on gardening leave and watch other MPs going to jail for their expenses fraud, then come back and resume as if nothing had happened.Wiser but certainly not poorer.

Wed, 2011-02-16 18:51 — mcquade

A cheat in the ministry of justice? LMAO! The tabloids will have him for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Wed, 2011-02-16 18:58 — Graeme (not verified)

Laws is a disgrace. Not fit to be in office.

Wed, 2011-02-16 19:05 — swatantra nandanwar

A disgrace if Laws returns to Justice. Lib Dems are soft on crime.
But he'll be better than the present incumbent.
Parlament were right to take on the European Court but not the Supreme Court of All England.
A British Bill of Rights is a complete nonsense.

Wed, 2011-02-16 19:04 — Freeman2

Graeme writes, 'Laws is a disgrace. Not fit to be in office.'

Very true. Unfortunately, Labour set a bad precedent with Blunkett, Mandelson and Vaz.

Wed, 2011-02-16 19:24 — ang (not verified)

Laws was the main architect in the discussions to form a govt in May and because he is an aspiring Tory, refused to have anything to do with Labour. Now look at the mess the country is in.
I hope his empty diary is due to a criminal investigation, others have gone to jail for less.
If he does return to government, it will be as misguided as the Coulson appointment. Go ahead Cameron, you are stupid enough.

Sun, 2011-02-20 14:03 — raymond392

I never thought I would say this but Laws should be back in government but only to make the same or other mistakes show this government for what it is corrupt and help discredit it even more.

Wed, 2011-02-16 19:36 — gerry (not verified)

So Laws is coming back...is there any more evidence needed of the not-so-secret Clegg/Cameron plan to realign the right in the UK, and create a permanent Tory-Lib Dem alliance, and government?

This City-made millionaire MP who in my opinion should have been tried in court for his sick expenses frauds, embodies the Thatcherite values at the heart of this government. The man postively glows and smirks in glee when he talks about the need to slash the budget, and for the state itself to be "cut down to size"...

Brace yourself for a fresh wave of privatisation, marketisation, and orange book shock and awe!

Wed, 2011-02-16 19:40 — Chris (not verified)

An absolute f*cking disgrace, if I'd claimed £40,000 in housing benefit and paid it to my partner I'd have been sent to prison.

Wed, 2011-02-16 22:43 — Matthew (not verified)

And how much is he planning to steal from the taxpayer for his lover's mortgage this time around?

Wed, 2011-02-16 22:53 — Des Demona (not verified)

@ Mathew
Let's wait until the lying, cheating thief has been investigated before drawing any conclusions.
However, given that the lying cheating thief has Cameron's backing then I'm sure it will turn out to be an honest mistake. He mistook the fact that anyone gave a crap about whether he was gay or not.
Yeah right.
He's been touted as the most astute potentiual minister around. Nothing very astute about his decision to hide behind a fictitious fear of being outed as gay when it was common knowledge anyway.
The man is a thief, pure and simple.

Wed, 2011-02-16 22:55 — Rob (not verified)

Laws really did nothing that benefitted him, in fact it was the opposite. All to hide his sexuality. I will be delighted by his return, he is very bright and will strengthen the coalition team. I wonder if all the reds posting here were as anti, Many's returns?

Wed, 2011-02-16 22:59 — Des Demona (not verified)

@ Rob
How was it the opposite? Because he got caught and lost his ministerial salary?

Wed, 2011-02-16 23:50 — BluePorcupine

@Ang

"others have gone to jail for less."

They really haven't, you know. Seriously, have you read about the court proceedings for the likes of Devine and Ilsley, and what they admitted to doing?

Wed, 2011-02-16 23:52 — Reginald-Fah-fah

It would have been great to see David Laws returning back to Government!

Thu, 2011-02-17 00:27 — Freeman2

Rob writes, 'I wonder if all the reds posting here were as anti, Many's returns?'

Perhaps you should read the posts - I mention not only Mandelson, but also Blunkett and Vaz. All in the same box as Laws in one way or another.

Thu, 2011-02-17 02:40 — Hosni Mubarak (not verified)

What's the problem with giving crooked politicians a second chance?

Wed, 2011-03-02 10:44 — dave (not verified)

Why are we still waiting for this man to be prosecuted, why are we waiting for him to consider his options and position,why are we waiting for the police to come up with a conclusion about the wrongdoings of this man ???????? He took my money!!!!!!!