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UK Lib Dems face coalition test at party conference

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, May 14, IRNA -- Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg faces his first real test over his controversial decision to lead his party into a coalition government with the Conservatives at a specially convened members’ conference on Sunday.

Clegg, who was appointed deputy prime minister of the new coalition, has already faced criticism from activists in his centre-left party for sacrificing policies to be part of the centre-right led government.

Unity between the Lib Dems and Tories has also showed signs of cracks from backbench MPs of both parties, who have started to question the coalition’s deal on electoral reform, Europe, the UK’s nuclear weapons and several other issues that have been compromised.

The coalition agreement has already been approved as required by 75 per cent of the 57 Lib Dem MPs and by the party’s governing Federal Executive.

But the Federal Executive said that although there is no requirement under the party’s constitution to seek the approval of members, it was convening the special conference to endorse the decision at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on May 16.

Reports have suggested that at least 10 per cent of Lib Dem members are opposed to the coalition deal and to limit damage from the size of the dissent, the press so far has been barred from attending the 4-hour closed conference.

The only motion being debated states that “the coalition agreement represents the best chance to create a stable government that can address the serious economic challenges facing the country in a fair and sustainable manner,” according to a copy obtained by IRNA.

Clegg is also due to address the conference before voting takes place, which is being limited to “voting conference reps” - delegates nominated by local parties.

Among the leading critics of the deal is Rob Fenwick, who founded the party’s most-read independent website LibDem voice, who said the new government is “a highly awkward marriage of a progressive and a conservative party.”

“The areas of agreement between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are few, and not enough for each party’s separate vote to be meaningfully combined in a joint mandate,” Fenwick posted on the website.