It seems my use of the word "dick" has rather overshadowed the point I was trying to make in my last post. I suspect that after a number of decades in front line politics Simon Hughes has developed a thick enough skin to deal with my comments, but if I have genuinely caused offence, I apologise.
To be fair name calling is a bit childish.
However I stand by the broader point that I was making. Simon Hughes' recent pronouncements seem to undermine the coalition and by extension demonstrate a degree of disloyalty to Nick Clegg, his own party leader. By demanding a veto for Lib Dem MPs Hughes is implying that Clegg isn't doing a proper job of fighting the Lib Dem's corner with David Cameron.
Part of Hughes' role as Deputy Leader should be maintaining the link between the Lib Dem front bench and the wider party. I rather suspect that by saying what he has said he is achieving the opposite.
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Lib Dems are clearly not used to being in government and are not always comfortable with the blame attached to pushing the country back into recession faster than the rest of the world.
The Conservative Party have the 1922 committee to give a voice to backbench dissent, the Liberal Democrats need a similar structure, but in such a small party this role is naturally falling primarily to Simon Hughes, who does represent the left of the party.
Rather than calling for a veto he said that Lib Dems should be able to say "No, we can't go down this road". To me that is part of a discussion and compromise that is normal in politics (though usually only involving a single party's backbenchers). Boris will tell you that just because somebody says y'ou can't go down this road', does not stop him cycling down it regardless!
What Simon is asking for is honest debate within his party, rather than abandoning all of their principles. Of course they do have a veto, they can withdraw from the coalition, but much as Simon might like that it isn't going to happen if a working government can continue.
Maybe rather than sticking to political principles he could just sit on the sidelines and shout 'fool', 'dick', 'shut up', and 'bugger off'.
However you couch it, Hughes really is a class A cunt.
Sarf - I concur! Sums the man up to a 't'!
I see the left-wing Bromley Times gave much prominence to the 'stir' that you caused. The only problem is that - in typical Archant Group fashion - they wrote it up so poorly that you came across quite well!
Make mine a bitter, Melody!
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