The Lib Dems in the Commons: the Chief Whip reports

• [Aug 01] Alistair Carmichael* writes: THIS is my first report to Conference as Chief Whip of the Liberal Democrats. It is also the first report that a Liberal Democrat Chief Whip has made from the government benches. It has been a long journey from April 12th, when the House was dissolved and the 2005 Parliament struggled to a close. Very few would have anticipated that just six months after the last Parliamentary Party report to Spring Conference, that the Liberal Democrats would be in Government.

I would like to pay tribute to Paul Burstow, my predecessor between 2006 and 2010. Paul's diligence and astute management means that I am inheriting an office which has been able to adapt to the changing demands on a Parliamentary Party now in coalition government. I would also like to pay tribute to all my colleagues who were not returned to Parliament: Sandra Gidley, Julia Goldsworthy, Evan Harris, Paul Holmes, Susan Kramer, Lembit Opik, Willie Rennie, Paul Rowen and Richard Younger-Ross. On behalf of the whole Parliamentary Party I would like to thank them for their hard work and determination over the years. Each made an enormous contribution to the work of the Party and they will be much missed in this Parliament.

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• Run-up to the Election

In the Commons, the period running up to the election felt as though the Commons was going through the motions, just to fill in time. The Labour Government ran out of steam years ago but they clung on to power until the later very last moment. The conclusion of that tired and discredited Parliament culminated in the 'wash-up', whereby many unfinished and inadequately scrutinised bills are bargained for behind closed doors. It was a political stitch- up of the worst kind and one against which Liberal Democrats spoke out strongly. I hope that will be the last such 'wash-up' ever as a fixed term Parliament should bring with it more honesty and transparency in the management of parliamentary business, especially towards the end of a Parliament.

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• Coalition Agreement

In his report to Spring Conference, my predecessor Paul Burstow wrote: "2010 is a game- changing year and we, as Liberal Democrats are ready to play. Never before has the party been so professional and optimistic. In Nick we have a confident and decisive Leader who is not afraid to take risks; Nick's ability to read the political landscape is phenomenal and he is supported by the most able and committed MPs in the Commons". He couldn't have been more right.

The days after the election were emotional, tiring and vital to the history of our Party. I would like to record the debt of gratitude that we all owe our negotiating team: Danny Alexander, Chris Huhne, David Laws and Andrew Stunell. The team worked round the clock to ensure that we as a Party had the best deal possible from the coalition agreement. The Parliamentary Party met several times over the six days between the election and finally agreeing the coalition document, receiving updates from the negotiating team considering the next step. As the process progressed, MPs met jointly with Peers in order to ensure that all parliamentary colleagues were informed and aware of each option.

On Tuesday 11th May, the parliamentary parties in both the Commons and Lords met jointly with the Federal Executive to approve the coalition agreement negotiated with the Conservative Party. The document was circulated and discussed and, in the early hours of 12th May the agreement was approved. It is worth noting that the Parliamentary Party in the Commons approved the agreement without a single vote against.

Of our four key pledges, each one can be found in the coalition agreement: increasing the income tax threshold to £10,000; the pupil premium and investment in education; green taxation and an investment in green jobs; and extensive political and constitutional reform. In any coalition agreement there will be elements of compromise for both parties and that is true of this one too. I believe strongly, however, that there is an enormous amount in this agreement about which we should be proud and to which we should be campaigning enthusiastically in Parliament and in our communities.

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• Liberal Democrats in Government:

Within a Parliamentary Party of 57, we now have 18 MPs holding Ministerial office in the Government, including the Deputy Prime Minister and four other members of the Cabinet. Each and every Minister has hit the ground running and is making progress in their departments to ensure that Liberal Democrat policy and thinking is woven in to all that Government does. In the first few weeks since the Coalition was formed we have seen a succession of announcements implementing Liberal Democrat policies:

• A Bill introduced to scrap ID cards.

• A Bill to bring in fixed term Parliaments

• An inquiry into the use of torture.

• A commitment to a referendum on the voting system.

• A consultation on the Freedom Bill to scrap the illiberal laws introduced under Labour.

• The first steps towards raising the income tax threshold.

• The restoration of the earnings link with state pensions.

• The right for local councillors to speak out at planning meetings.

From headline policies and changes to legislation, to day-to-day decisions, the impact of the Liberal Democrats is apparent across Whitehall and is making a difference to the lives of people in constituencies across the country.

In order to provide a working interface between Government and the Parliamentary Party, and to ensure that the Liberal Democrats are properly represented on every issue in the House of Commons, we have created Parliamentary Party Committees (PPCs), with co- chairs coming from both the Commons and the Lords. The aim of the PPCs is act as a focal point for Government, for the Party, for interest groups and within the House when dealing with portfolio areas. An innovative new arrangement has also been agreed with our coalition partners to ensure that these co-chairs have full access to departments, being alerted to forthcoming statements and properly consulted on policy decisions and announcements. The PPCs will also provide coverage in the House for questions, statements and debates. These will play a significant role in the success of the Coalition and ensuring that the Liberal Democrats are a distinct force in Parliament.

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• POLD

The withdrawal of Short Money necessitated a considerable amount of restructuring of our staff support. It was with great sadness that we have had to say goodbye to a number of colleagues. Each played a key role in ensuring our success and, on behalf of the Commons Parliamentary Party, I would like to thank the following:

• Leader's Office: Anna Brown, Paul Maloney, Becks Darling, Jayde Bradley and Mike Girling
• Parliamentary Research Unit: Alice Aitken, Steve Lotinga, Ben Jones, Sam Cannicott, Navprit Rai, James Lloyd, Louisa Latham and Debbie Enever
• Press Office: Kathrine Bancroft, Louise Phillips, Donald Campbell, Diana Yeboah, Mark Haslam Will Davies

A number of other staff have now moved into positions in Government and I should like to thank them for their contribution to the Party over the years. I know they will continue to work to ensure that we make the most of this extraordinary opportunity.

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• Conclusion

I firmly believe that we as Liberal Democrats, with our belief in pluralist politics and clear sense of fairness, have a phenomenal opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people. One of my predecessors both as Chief Whip and as MP for Orkney and Shetland once said, "There is no purpose in keeping a Liberal Party alive unless it promotes liberalism". Jo was right and I believe that this coalition not only gives us an opportunity to promote our values and our Party but to embed firmly liberalism in everything that the machinery of Government does. We have the opportunity to use Parliament to build a truly Liberal country. My colleagues and I are committed to ensure that we do everything we can to make this happen.

*MP for Orkney and Shetland and Chief Whip (Commons)