The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

David Laws’s return to cabinet looks ever more certain

Cameron and Clegg have held private discussions about appointing Laws to oversee coalition policy.

By Samira Shackle Published 10 March 2011 10:00

It appears ever more certain that David Laws will be given a ministerial post, overseeing all areas of government policy, if he is cleared of breaking Commons expenses rules.

Kevin Maguire suggested in the NS last month that Laws was refusing all appointments after mid-March, implying that his return to government could be imminent.

Now, it seems, there is a clearer idea about what form this role could take. The Independent reports that Nick Clegg and David Cameron have discussed appointing Laws to work alongside Oliver Letwin and Francis Maude at the Cabinet Office. Under this proposal, Laws – who stepped down after it emerged that he had claimed expenses to pay the rent of his partner, James Lundie – would be responsible for co-ordinating and driving through all aspects of coalition policy together with Letwin.

The newly created position would not be a full cabinet post, as that would upset the careful balance of the coalition, but it is highly likely to come with the right to attend cabinet.

Moreover, it would increase Lib Dem representation within the coalition and ease the pressure on both Clegg and Danny Alexander, who currently has responsibility for this role as well as acting as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

If Laws was appointed to the position, it would allow Alexander, who is reportedly stretched to the limit, to concentrate on Treasury matters. It wouldn't be a huge jump for Laws, who has stayed closed to Clegg and was recently charged with coming up with fresh policies for his party.

While his reappointment to a ministerial post is dependent on the verdict of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Laws will be key either way to the Lib Dems' strategy and policy in the run-up to the next election.

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Tags: David Laws

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24 comments

Thu, 2011-03-10 21:02 — Gracie

David Cameron the greatest pm in "political" history (odd choice of words) Reginald Fah-fah, you are either dreaming or on hallucinogenics.
David Cameron is a disaster and he is getting worse day by day. Greatest Pm lol then you woke up.

Thu, 2011-03-10 21:20 — Reginald-Fah-fah

I'm a Tory and I make big statements!

I support Prime Minister David Cameron like he was the King!!!!

Mon, 2011-03-14 12:12 — Reginald-Fah-fah

'Reginald has a man crush on a certain Tory.' Marvellous comment! I'm glad that I can be very proud of our great Leader David Cameron and not ashamed by our top Statesman!

I feel that youth and the unemployed people can learn a lot from David Cameron. In otherwords, Prime Minister David Cameron is a good role model for the youth and unemployed people!

It's my understanding that Prime Minister David Cameron is the Sixth Great Grandson of William IV. Relation to the Monarchy and a fantastic Brtish Prime Minster!

Nothing can stop a Top Tory like myself. It was my Birthday over the Weekend, check my facebook!

Thu, 2011-03-10 10:13 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Great news! The return of David Laws to cabinet and should happen asap!

I support him last summer and feel he has a lot to offer the Country and the Coalition!

Thu, 2011-03-10 10:15 — Yonmei

I have a better idea: make David Laws the Minister in charge of tracking down benefit fraud.

After all, he knows so much about diddling the taxpayer.

Thu, 2011-03-10 10:16 — Dave C (not verified)

Having to bring back someone who is disgraced in the eyes of many of the public is hardly a sign of strength.

Thu, 2011-03-10 10:27 — Graeme (not verified)

He is a little shit.

Thu, 2011-03-10 10:29 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Disgrace would be sacking him and then begging him to come back!

Laws left and our great Prime Minister David Cameron left Number10's door open for him!

I should let the Lib Dems talk for themself but I think Laws is an asset to Great Britain!

Thu, 2011-03-10 10:55 — Sam (not verified)

For my money Laws is the best politician in parliament so it makes sense to bring him back.

Sat, 2011-03-12 13:35 — Hugh Markey (not verified)

Confusing. Is the United Kingdom a 'constitutional monarchy' or not. Can the PM be both Leader of the Government and monarch?

Bally Confusing

Thu, 2011-03-10 11:45 — ang (not verified)

I hope they do bring him back, simply becauase it will be another blunder from Cameron, go ahead, I dare you.

Thu, 2011-03-10 11:56 — tamster (not verified)

Has he repayed the £40,000 he knowingly claimed in breach of the rules ?

Sat, 2011-03-12 14:28 — ACMJ

Would a corrupt politician like David Laws, who hid behind the gay card as an excuse for his expenses scandal really clean up British politics if and when brought back ?

Thu, 2011-03-31 19:18 — Tom Hill (not verified)

Jim Devine was another MP jailed today - quite rightfully - for fiddling his expenses. What Laws did seems to me to differ in no way from what Devine did so why is he not being prosecuted? There is no way that this man should hold any ministerial post in fact he should be sacked as an MP.

Thu, 2011-03-10 12:40 — mcquade

Is this the same Laws, millionaire former investment banker and highly regarded in the City for his judicious investment skills and financial nouse, who tried to justify his expenses claim on the grounds that he'd pissed all his millions up the wall?
I would say that such a dishonest man is not worthy of a government position, except that he'd be joining a club of many other dishonest people. Lie Dem birds of a feather...

Thu, 2011-03-31 19:29 — Lou (not verified)

@Tom Hill
I wrote to the standards committee to ask why Laws was not being referred to the Met by them and got quite an abrupt reply saying more or less that it was up to the individual (me or you) to refer the matter to the Met if they believed a crime had been committed. I replied asking why then had they referred MPs for investigation and months on I still await a reply.

Thu, 2011-03-31 21:12 — Tom Hill (not verified)

@Lou

Thanks Lou, seems to me Law is being protected by someone - I wonder who?

Thu, 2011-03-10 15:16 — Gracie

I object strongly to having this man who has defrauded the taxpayer out of £44.000 back in Government, the fact that he was forced to pay it all back is neither here nor there. He would have got away with this too if it had not come to light and he would still be claiming.
If Cameron does this then he is once again showing his appalling judgement and that he is clearly out of his depth as PM.
it is totally absurd that in a climate where barclays bank refuses an extension of a £1000 overdraft to a small but SOLVENT businessman whilke paying millions in bonuses and then we have this cheat of an MP going to make a come back to government? Corruption - corruption - corruption it is a bloody disgrace!

Sat, 2011-03-12 17:58 — ang (not verified)

@Spidersally.
That just may stop Reginald in his tracks!

Wed, 2011-03-16 15:47 — capt-price (not verified)

Fahk- Off Reginald!!

Thu, 2011-03-10 15:56 — martybee (not verified)

Of course he Should be in the Cabinet..the one with Bars on the windows and door which clangs shut...god help us when people applaud when such men/women as him are allowed into Government, irrespective of Party.

Thu, 2011-03-10 16:00 — Son

David Cameron's judgement is being proved to be questionable on many counts. Accepting David Laws back into Govt is more of the same ... this Govt is not fit for purpose and
should be made to step down asap.

Fri, 2011-03-11 22:34 — SpiderSally (not verified)

Reginald has a man crush on a certain tory.

Thu, 2011-03-10 19:58 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Prime Minister David Cameron has sound judgement and welcoming David Laws back into the Cabinet is a really good idea!!!

I'm very proud of our Prime Minister David Cameron and stand behind him!

Stepping down is a Labour wet dream and who would run the country? The Labour Party doesn't really believe in their leader! Look at who funding them!!! Lib Dems, most people dislike Nick Clegg with a passion!

David Cameron is the greatest Prime Minister in British Political History!!!! Wait and see!!!!