Over at The Guardian’s Comment Is Free blog, former Lib Dem leader Ming Campbell explains how today’s Commons defeat of the policy to restrict Gurkhas’ right to settle in the UK is another crack in Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s authority:
What the government failed to appreciate was the extent of feeling within the Commons and the enormous public affection outside. The Gurkhas hold a special place in British hearts and, for once, public opinion was in favour of immigration rather than against it. …
It is wise to remember the government hasn’t fallen. But this defeat adds to the woes of a government increasingly at the mercy of disaffected Labour MPs, who display a mixture of exasperation and resignation. Many with small majorities are desperate to hold their seats, while even some with a larger cushion are resigned to losing theirs. The prime minister’s authority, battered by the controversy over MPs expenses and undermined by the sceptical analysis of last week’s budget, is becoming more and more difficult to sustain.
You can read the article in full HERE.
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