Positively liberal
Last week saw Michael Gove announce the government’s new definition of “extremism”.
Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “After weeks of Conservative uncertainty, it is disappointing to see this new definition - which is at best vague, and at worst risks sowing even more division”.
“In working up this new approach, the Conservative Government has failed to consult communities, while bringing forward concerning unilateral powers for ministers. With something as important as countering extremism, they cannot get away with this botched job.”
This comes at the same time as the Conservatives have been placed in a quandary over comments made by Frank Hester, about Diane Abbott MP. Hester has donated £10m to the Conservative Party and it has also be claimed that he had donated a further £5m to them. The claim has not been denied by the Conservatives.
The Liberal Democrats have written to Conservative Party Chair, Richard Holden over the £10m donation from Frank Hester and the government’s new extremism definition.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper asked whether the Conservative Party will apply the new definition of extremism to its engagement with outside groups and individuals including party donors. She added that this would surely mean returning the £10m donation from Frank Hester and ruling out taking any more donations from him in future.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “Frank Hester’s alleged remarks were hateful and racist, and suggested that an MP should be shot. With all their talk of stamping out extremism, the Conservative Party’s refusal to hand back his £10m donation is completely untenable”.
“The Conservative Party need to confirm if they will adopt the government’s new definition of extremism. If they do, that would surely leave them with no choice but to return this tainted money. If not, it shows once again that it’s one rule for them and one rule for us”.
“Every day this goes on, this scandal shows how Rishi Sunak’s government has lost its moral compass and is totally unfit to govern the country.”
“Given the widespread concern about the possible impact of this new definition, the public has a right to know whether the Conservative Party will be applying these new rules itself”.
We are truly watching the dying days of the current Government. A party mired in messes of its own making and Conservative MP’s who have seen the writing is on the wall. The tally of sitting MP’s who have announced they are standing down at the forthcoming General Election, now stands at just over 60 and insiders reckon it could grow to about 100.
The Budget has confirmed that this Conservative government has run out of ideas and deserves to be kicked out of office. It looks like Rishi Sunak is desperately clinging onto power instead of calling a General Election. Indeed, there are whispers that some Tories are plotting to remove Sunak and replace him with Penny Mordaunt. If that does happen, she would become the 4th Conservative Prime Minister since the 2019 General Election.