When the general election neared and a coalition between the Lib Dems and either the Conservatives or Labour seemed a possibility Cable was spoken of as a Chancellor of the Exchequer in waiting.
Well the Conservatives won the most seats, the Lib Dems agreed a coalition and Prime Minister David Cameron was not prepared to sacrifice his close friend George Osborne so Vince Cable ended up as Business Secretary instead.
Now this week the House of Commons will vote on the coalition bill to increase students’ university fees. The bill was drawn up by Vince Cable’s department but he’s flip flopped – first he said he would abstain when it came to a vote, then said he’d back the bill, then opted to abstain again and God only knows what he will do on the day.
Of course the one thing he should do is resign. If you are the head of the ministry that is bringing forward the controversial university fees bill and you do not support it one hundred percent – you resign.
Vince Cable is now damned by both sides. Those who support the bill cannot back a minister who brings to the parliament legislation that he is reluctant to vote for. Those who oppose the bill were told by Cable during the election campaign that he would not support an increase in student fees – he lied to them because he has.
Therefore he has no option but to resign. He has no credibility left.
Ah, but wait a minute, he’s a Lib Dem minister – so let’s be frank honour for him doesn’t come in to it! The last time the Liberals were in government there was hardly a car on the road so a ministerial limo is not to be given up lightly.
2 comments:
Totally agree with your point. And I would add to that the fact that a Business Secretary who somehow manages to make incredibly difficult the path towards training the next generation of people who will meet the needs for expertise of the country's businesses is not just short-sighted but downright foolhardy. He's lost any credibility he might have had and with it goes any credibility the coalition might have had. if he doesn't go voluntarily, the PM should sack him anyway.
The Lib Dems have already plummeted in the polls the fiasco over the student fees issue will be the nail in their collective coffin.
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