The BBC’s Chief Political Correspondent, Laura Kuenssberg, yesterday tweeted remarks made by David Cameron about the need for more discussion within the coalition before decisions are made. Simon Hughes’ intervention on council tenancies appears to indicate that the Prime Minister has failed to heed his own advice.
Yesterday afternoon, Laura Kuenssberg tweeted:
“The PM says coalition is a ‘proper partnership’ but there has to be more discsussions and ‘workings out’ before decisions are made”
But just a day later, Simon Hughes tells the Evening Standard’s Paul Waugh:
“The ideas put forward by David Cameron this week in no way represent the policy of the coalition and certainly do not represent the policy of the Liberal Democrats.
“We will not let anybody have their homes taken away. We must continue to suppport established and cohesive communities where people have the security of knowing that they will continue to have a home.”
What Paul Waugh reveals next is revealing:
I’m told (not by the man himself, I stress) that Mr Hughes ‘exploded’ last night when he heard of the Cameron words.
He had first got wind of the controversial proposal recently when Andrew Stunnell flagged it up in the party hierarchy. He warned ministers that the party should ‘not touch this with a bargepole’ but it seems there was confusion as to whether Nick Clegg was alerted of the concerns.
Crucially, Hughes appears to have been assured that no announcement was going to be made on the subject until after discussions within the coalition.
Although Simon Hughes had urged the government to “slow down” on cuts to housing benefit, sounded a warning shot on the VAT rise, and indicated his initial desire for a Lib-Lab coalition, Mr Hughes has – until this point – been a strong public defender of the coalition’s policies. Just two weeks ago, he wrote in the Guardian, “in 10 weeks we have achieved greater political change than I could have ever imagined.” If Cameron wants him to return to this championing role, he’ll need to consult him a bit more.
UPDATE 14.09
After Simon Hughes tells the World at One, “It is not a Liberal Democrat policy, it is not a coalition policy. It was not in the election manifesto of either party, it was not in the coalition agreement.”, Sunder Katwala observes at Next Left that:
“Downing Street wanted to make very clear indeed that that Nick Clegg bloke was obviously not speaking for the government when, erm, taking Prime Minister’s questions as deputy Prime Minister.
“Perhaps they could now tell us if the same applies to the PM.”
Left Foot Forward doesn't have the backing of big business or billionaires. We rely on the kind and generous support of ordinary people like you.
You can support hard-hitting journalism that holds the right to account, provides a forum for debate among progressives, and covers the stories the rest of the media ignore. Donate today.
28 Responses to “David Cameron should listen to his own advice”
justine p
@ Anon E Mouse
“why should someone who is single when his or her parents die have a right to their house, which belongs to the council anyway and may be three bedroomed when they live alone?”
You are wrongly informed here. Someone who is single does not automatically have a right to the council house when his or her parents die. My uncle lived in a 3 bedroomed council house with my grandparents. He has a disability. My grandfather died first and then when my grandmother died, my uncle was told he would have to be moved to a 1 bedroomed property.
Anon E Mouse
Justine P – The policy must differ around the country – a work colleague’s parents died, he lived at home and the council left him in the house – that’s South Wales btw and it was a few years ago. I may be wrong.
(The concept is alien to me but it is possible).
I do think though that if people choose to live in council housing exchanges would be a good idea. Another friend of mine is your old style socialist who refuses to leave council rented accommodation. Although he has good holidays he has mentioned in the past he’d like to get back to London but can’t swap houses – that’d certainly be a positive move for people like him…
Politickle
RT @leftfootfwd: With Simon Hughes on the "warpath", David Cameron should listen to his own advice http://bit.ly/aLkhWa
Tom Sheppard
Is it better tht Hughes is on the side of libs to the left of gehgiz khan, or worse tht he knew nothing of the policy? http://j.mp/d8Fc2X
Mr. Sensible
I’m not sure how we can end up with a government which neither the leader or deputy leader speeks for.
Mr Mouse, can you give me your evidence to support Cameron on Israel and on Pakistan? These are countries we need to help us in the fight against terror, and so to drop those kind of clangers is not good.