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I'm not sorry, says rebel Leech

Marie Burchill
13/ 3/2008

WITHINGTON MP John Leech has vowed to stand his ground after he defied party orders – despite a public dressing-down from Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg.

Mr Leech MP has told The Reporter that he is now prepared to "face the consequences" after he voted against the party line in a Commons vote on the European Union.

Mr Leech was just one of a group of dissenters who rebelled on the vote, attracting a volley of criticism from the Lib Dem leader, Mr Clegg.

During the controversial vote, Mr Leech and 15 other MPs supported the amendment by Labour backbencher Ian Davidson for a referendum on the Lisbon treaty, as well as the possibility of another referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU – despite being ordered by leader Mr Clegg to abstain from the vote.

Withington MP John Leech – who is the junior party transport spokesman for the Lib Dems – said: "When you rebel against the whip, there can be consequences.

"However, I have to do what was best for my constituents and in this instance I felt that that was to support Ian Davidson’s amendment.

"I don’t like going against the party whip, but if I feel that it is the right thing for my constituents then I will do so. I will stand my ground and face the consequences.

"It is absolutely right that as leader of the party Mr Clegg takes the action that he feels is necessary."

Following the votes cast by the Lib Dem dissenters in the Commons Mr Clegg said: "I don’t relish blood-curdling tasks.

"But these members need to realise that they are in a party of 63. John was expected to follow the line and there will be consequences."

Three members of Mr Clegg’s Liberal Democrat frontbench have also since resigned following the showdown vote on the possibility of a referendum over the Lisbon treaty. The Lib Dem frontbenchers who have resigned are Alistair Carmichael, Scotland and Northern Ireland spokesman; Tim Farron, countryside spokesman and David Heath, spokesman for justice matters.

But Mr Leech said he had no intention of resigning his role of transport spokesman nor had he been asked to.