Latest News
- Monday 03 March 2008
-
Sandra Gidley MP "will not use semantics to wriggle out of a promise"
Liberal Democrat MP and shadow health minister Sandra Gidley has finally confirmed that she will vote to support a referendum on the EU Constitution / Lisbon Treaty.
In a letter to a constituent, she said:
"After much thought and consideration I have not been persuaded that the overall effect of the treaty is sufficiently different to the EU Constitution which was proposed prior to the last election. I am mindful of the promise I made at the last election which was to support a referendum on the Constitution. I will not use semantics to wriggle out of a promise so, unless something unforseen happens, I intend to support the call for a referendum."
If Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg doesn't at least allow his MPs a free vote on a Treaty referendum, he faces the unappealing choice of either seeing his leadership considerably weakened as many of his MPs defy him, or having to sack numerous key members of his shadow ministerial team.
As well as Ms Gidley, this would include his shadow Defence secretary, Justice secretary, Countryside minister and half of his shadow Treasury ministerial team.
It seems astonishing that Nick Clegg appears willing to allow his support for the Government's shameful backtracking on a clear manifesto pledge to tear his own leadership and party unity apart.
Associated MPs: Sandra Gidley