Helen Duffett

End of term report for Lib Dem MPs’ Class of 2010

By | Sat 16th July 2011 - 10:51 am

As the House of Commons rises this Tuesday, the BBC’s Gavin Stamp gives new MPs of all parties his end-of-term report.

Here’s what he has to say about the new Lib Dem intake:

New entrants were small in number but still accounted for almost one in six of the Parliamentary party.

No new MPs made it into the ranks of ministers or were asked to head up a series of backbench committees designed to help the party retain an independent voice on issues outside the coalition.

However, Gordon Birtwhistle and Duncan Hames became parliamentary private secretaries, the latter also finding time to speak in 134 debates.

Others seemingly marked out for advancement were Tessa Munt and Stephen Gilbert, who were named as internal party whips responsible for enforcing discipline.

Discontent with the party leadership over the coalition has tended to come from established MPs.

But the Lib Dem rebellion over student tuition fees was on a different scale to anything seen in the party in recent decades. New MPs Julian Huppert, Stephen Lloyd, Ian Swales and Simon Wright all felt strongly enough to vote against the fees rise.

In a poll of party members earlier this year by the Lib Dem Voice website, Mr Huppert was selected as the MP who had made the biggest impression.

Read the full report, including the verdict on MPs from the other parties at BBC News.

Read more by or more about , , , , , , , , , or .
This entry was posted in Parliament.
Advert

2 Comments

  • Matt Downey 16th Jul '11 - 11:25am

    Problem is that that is incorrect. “No new MPs made it into the ranks of ministers or were asked to head up a series of backbench committees designed to help the party retain an independent voice on issues outside the coalition.”
    Isn’t Julian Huppert co-chair of backbench Transport committee??

  • Tim13 16th Jul '11 - 10:19pm

    Very surprised to see Sarah Wollaston not being mentioned in the text (although credited with “a significant rebellion” in an adjoining table). Her unusual selection in a Tory open selection process, and subsequent independence of mind and expression often against her own party, has marked her out as one of the most significant new entrants.

Post a Comment

Lib Dem Voice welcomes comments from everyone but we ask you to be polite, to be on topic and to be who you say you are. You can read our comments policy in full here. Please respect it and all readers of the site.

To have your photo next to your comment please signup your email address with Gravatar.

Your email is never published. Required fields are marked *

*
*
Please complete the name of this site, Liberal Democrat ...?

Advert

Recent Comments

  • Simon R
    I disagree with the Jim and fully support the LibDem proposals. People playing loud music or other noise from their devices can totally ruin other people's jour...
  • Mike Peters
    Ukraine had a much better deal available shortly after the start of the war but was persuaded by Boris Johnston to reject it, with the promise of support from t...
  • Mike Peters
    Could it be that this policy is an attempt to attract voters who may otherwise consider voting for Reform? If so, it will completely fail since those voters are...
  • expats
    Every time the great and good enthuse over such 'celebrations I'm reminded of Maggie Holland's 'A Place Called England'.. For England is not flag or Empire,...
  • Andy Daer
    Parliament's occasional 'urgent question' debates may have a peripheral impact, but more often simply provide the spectacle of unfortunate government spokespeop...