Ex-liberal democrats

Published: 21 May 2010

• THE proposal by the new coalition government that would require 55 per cent of MPs to vote in favour of a dissolution of Parliament is an affront to democracy.

A government either enjoys the confidence of the House of Commons or it does not. If it does not there should be a general election so that the people can choose their government.

On the basis of the present proposals a government can lose the confidence of the majority of the House yet can continue unhindered unless a further 32 MPs support dissolution. 

In our long parliamentary history, and all of the crises we have previously faced, a simple majority has sufficed. There is absolutely no reason to change that now.

A measure which makes it more difficult to turn out the government of the day would shame a banana republic.

“Liberal” Democrat MPs in the coalition should hang their heads in shame; they abandoned the “liberal” element of their name about 20 years ago. After four days in government they have lost the right to use the title “democrat” as well.

Daniel Wood
Chair of the Policy Committee The Liberal Party