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12/03/2012
Party Split On Health Bill Leaves Clegg Isolated
Nick Clegg’s leadership of the Liberal Democrat party could be under threat after the party refused the back the NHS reform bill at its conference on the weekend.
After a 45-minute debate the party voted 314 to 270 to delete a call for the party's peers to vote for the health bill's third reading, the closest they could get to an outright rejection of the reforms.
Clegg's aides acknowledged the strength of feeling in the party grassroots by effectively disowning the bill as not a Liberal Democrat one, remarks that will anger the health secretary, Andrew Lansley.
Clegg had earlier called on his party to endorse the party approach and support Lady Williams, their senior peer, and not Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary.
However, senior party figures said they will now be telling Clegg he has to show he is listening to his party and that further substantial changes should be sought, even though the bill has nearly completed its tortuous parliamentary passage.
Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughed has revealed he will ask Clegg to back call for the Department of health to publish the health bill’s risk register, which assess potential problems which could be caused by the reforms. The department has yet to respond to an earlier information tribunal ruling that the register should be published.
Former Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris said: "The Liberal Democrats have clearly and democratically told their leaders that they do not support the bill. This cannot be ignored."
Party activists acknowledged that they could not tell peers how to vote, but felt at least their political honour had been salvaged by the expression of their opposition.
(H)
After a 45-minute debate the party voted 314 to 270 to delete a call for the party's peers to vote for the health bill's third reading, the closest they could get to an outright rejection of the reforms.
Clegg's aides acknowledged the strength of feeling in the party grassroots by effectively disowning the bill as not a Liberal Democrat one, remarks that will anger the health secretary, Andrew Lansley.
Clegg had earlier called on his party to endorse the party approach and support Lady Williams, their senior peer, and not Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary.
However, senior party figures said they will now be telling Clegg he has to show he is listening to his party and that further substantial changes should be sought, even though the bill has nearly completed its tortuous parliamentary passage.
Lib Dem deputy leader Simon Hughed has revealed he will ask Clegg to back call for the Department of health to publish the health bill’s risk register, which assess potential problems which could be caused by the reforms. The department has yet to respond to an earlier information tribunal ruling that the register should be published.
Former Lib Dem MP Dr Evan Harris said: "The Liberal Democrats have clearly and democratically told their leaders that they do not support the bill. This cannot be ignored."
Party activists acknowledged that they could not tell peers how to vote, but felt at least their political honour had been salvaged by the expression of their opposition.
(H)
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Lib Dems leadership nominations close
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
