Lib Dem ministers ‘uneasy’ about Government policies

The three ministers, speaking to undercover reporters from The Daily Telegraph, raised concerns over a number of Coalition policies.

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said that cutting child benefit for higher-rate taxpayers was “blatantly not a consistent and fair thing to do,” Business Minister Ed Davey said he was “gobsmacked” by the decision, and Pensions Minister Steve Webb said he had written to the Chancellor asking for changes to be made to the policy because the “details are not right.”

Mr Moore, the MP for Berwickshire, also described the increase of tuition fees, which sparked a series of demonstrations by students, as “a car crash, a train wreck” and suggested he felt uncomfortable about the policy.

“I signed a pledge that promised not to do this. I’ve just done the worst crime a politician can commit, the reason most folk distrust us as a breed. I’ve had to break a pledge and very, very publicly,” he reportedly said.

But he added that ministers have had to consider the importance of being in government: “What we’ve all had to weigh up is the greater sense of what the Coalition is about.”

They are basically eroding confidence in MPs being able to talk candidly to their constituents. Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart on the Telegraph tapes.

Edinburgh West Lib Dem MP Mike Crockart, who had served as an aide to Mr Moore but quit over the tuition fees vote, told Channel 4 News: “I am extremely worried by what the Telegraph is doing. They are basically eroding confidence in MPs being able to talk candidly to their constituents. On top of that they are actually seeking to destroy the Government because they do not like its make up.

“And that, when we are facing the toughest economic conditions in a generation, is despicable.”

Child benefit

Mr Webb, the MP for Northavon, said he was worried about the child benefit cut which would affect couples where one partner earns just over the £42,000 higher-rate threshold, but not those with two partners earning just below that. He said he doesn’t have a problem “with the general principle but I don’t think the way we are doing it is terribly clever.”

Mr Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, said he is unhappy with the plans to limit housing benefit.

“Their housing benefit cuts are going to mean in my view, if they go through, that some people who are on the breadline will be put below the breadline. And that’s just deeply unacceptable,” he said.

A Liberal Democrat spokesman played down the comments, and said: “In Coalition, it is obviously no surprise that the parties have different views and opinions. We campaigned on two very different platforms in the election, but came together in the national interest to put Britain on a stable footing following the mistakes of the previous government.

“It is clear there are always going to be differences and disagreements and policy arguments are inevitable. This is part of being in a Coalition – when we disagree, we work together to find a way forward.

“These discussions should happen in private and both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives can then work together on the best decision for Britain.”

Vince Cable’s comments

Yesterday, Business Secretary Vince Cable was recorded by undercover reporters threatening that he could bring down the government if he resigned, as well as saying he had “declared war” on media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. David Cameron criticised Mr Cable’s comments, but allowed him to stay in his post. He has however stripped him of responsibility for media regulation, after branding his comments “totally unacceptable and inappropriate”.

In a statement, Vince Cable said he fully accepted the decision made by Mr Cameron and Deputy Nick Clegg: “I deeply regret the comments I made and apologise for the embarrassment that I have caused the Government,” he said.

Labour has branded Mr Cable a “lame duck” minister who has lost all credibility. Leader Ed Miliband called for Mr Cable’s dismissal, and accused him of breaching the ministerial code that requires members of the government to show objectivity in their decisions.

“David Cameron has made the wrong judgment and he has kept Vince Cable on, not because of the national interest but because his Conservative-led government needs the prop which Vince Cable provides,” he said.

Do the revelations…weaken the Coalition? I do not think so. Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart.

Mr Crockart said he thought Mr Cable should be able to stay in his post.

“He is a candid man and that is ultimately why he is so well thought of in the public generally. He speaks his mind. During the recession, he was the one person who was actually being honest with the public. I think he is going a marvellous job and he needs to stay there.

“Do the revelations about Vince and the three additional ones today weaken the Coalition? Exposure fractures? I do not think so. Lots of people were questioning it before these revelations. But I am absolutely certain it is doing a lot of very good work.”