Sometimes it is the dog that doesn’t bark that matters and this week the Liberal
Democrat left has failed to bark. We have not had any prolonged public outbursts against the spending review from the left of the Lib Dem parliamentary party. Sure, they may be trouble over
individual welfare measures but the Simon Hughses and Tim Farrons of this world seem broadly happy with the package. Indeed, Simon Hughes’ press release on the spending review is entitled,
‘Necessary reductions in public spending are as fair as possible’.
Add to this the fact that the Lib Dem revolt on higher education funding is not gathering steam at present and we appear to have a Lib Dem parliamentary party that is broadly happy with
coalition.
Admittedly, the going is going to get much tougher when the cuts actually start. But Lib Dem MPs really do seem to have the stomach for this fight.
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