Today’s Independent has a good round-up of what various Liberal Democrats are saying in response to that apology, including:
Crucially for Mr Clegg, the MP Greg Mulholland, one of the most fierce Liberal Democrat critics of the fees about-turn, welcomed his apology. He said: “This took courage and I hope people give him credit for saying that publicly.”…
Jo Swinson, East Dunbartonshire MP: “The problem with this particular pledge for the Liberal Democrats, and what made it different, was it committed us to vote in a particular way regardless of what happened with the election result. That’s what we should not have done.”…
Vince Cable, Business Secretary: “I was sceptical about the pledge but we agreed collectively to do it and I take my share of the responsibility … It was an unwise commitment to have made and we regret that and that was the basis of the apology … We have been badly punished for it. We have lost a lot of trust but we are acknowledging it.”
And here’s what I told the paper:
Overwhelmingly, party members have welcomed him taking a big and bold step on an issue that is clearly still a big and damaging problem for the party.
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