Mark Pack presents a fantastic infographic containing all the knowledge you need to know about Liberal Democrat rebels.
Mark Pack is head of digital at MHP Communications and is a co-editor of Liberal Democrat Voice
Liberal Democrat peers used to be in a remarkably privileged position in the party. Not only because they have held office without the pesky need for elections but also because for many years the third party in the House of Lords has been the key swing vote when the government has been wanting to get legislation through.
That has meant many peers were well used to having direct access to ministers, and moreover being in a strong position to extract some concessions. As a result, many peers can point to numerous changes they have achieved to legislation.
By comparison, Liberal Democrat MPs, despite having the democratic mandate, have usually had very little power as votes in the Commons have been a foregone conclusion.
But since the party has gone into coalition, the balance of Parliament influence amongst the party’s peers and MPs have reversed. Rather than being the key swing vote, Liberal Democrat peers are now but part of an overall coalition government majority.
In the Commons, many Liberal Democrat MPs are now in government. It is not even a matter of it being easier to get to talk to a minister, they are the minister.
Moreover, helped by the primacy of the Commons, revolts by Liberal Democrat MPs which could cost the government its majority are now no longer the neglected, poor relative of revolts by Liberal Democrat peers – but the patterns of rebellions have, so far, received relatively little attention.
That is why over at my day job, MHP Communications, we’ve put together this infographic looking at the Liberal Democrat rebels:
The most rebellious and the least? Andrew George 28; David Laws 0.
See also:
• Clegg under fire over voter registration, party funding and youth unemployment – Shamik Das, November 15th 2011
• Baroness Williams: Coalition “bewitched by a flawed US system” – Shamik Das, September 3rd 2011
• Tory and Labour peers look set to frustrate Clegg on Lords reform – Shamik Das, June 17th 2011
• Govt. must go beyond cosmetic changes to health bill warn Lib Dem activists – Dr. Prateek Buch & Dr. Evan Harris April 5th 2011
• Clegg set to face tough time over health, schools and spending cuts – Shamik Das, September 20th 2010
24 Responses to “From David Laws to Andrew George: The Lib Dem rebellion league table”
Steve Hynd
Just 3 @libdems MPs are responsible for 29% of all rebel votes http://t.co/TDCIaSBq via @markpack
Penzance News
Andrew George most rebellious Lib Dem MP | Left Foot Forward http://t.co/xczBQUrC #Penzance
Simon Banks
The Cornish are traditionally rebellious and do not automatically respect the Laws.
andrew shearwood
it's actually quite nice to know that my grandparent's MP is the most rebellious member of the government http://t.co/faKn1lLG