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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Jenny Willott quits UK coalition government | Jenny Willott quits UK coalition government |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Cardiff Central Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott has resigned as an assistant government whip. | Cardiff Central Liberal Democrat MP Jenny Willott has resigned as an assistant government whip. |
| Ms Willott is leaving the coalition government with fellow Lib Dems Norman Baker and Mark Hunter. | Ms Willott is leaving the coalition government with fellow Lib Dems Norman Baker and Mark Hunter. |
| Mr Baker quit as a Home Office minister on Monday, saying he faced a "constant battle" working with Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May. | Mr Baker quit as a Home Office minister on Monday, saying he faced a "constant battle" working with Conservative Home Secretary Theresa May. |
| Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he respected the three MPs' decisions to concentrate on their constituencies. | Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he respected the three MPs' decisions to concentrate on their constituencies. |
| The Lib Dem leader said: "I completely understand and respect the decisions that Norman, Mark and Jenny have taken to stand down from their ministerial positions to concentrate on their roles as constituency MPs. | The Lib Dem leader said: "I completely understand and respect the decisions that Norman, Mark and Jenny have taken to stand down from their ministerial positions to concentrate on their roles as constituency MPs. |
| "They have all been outstanding ministers and made an enormous contribution to the success of the coalition government." | "They have all been outstanding ministers and made an enormous contribution to the success of the coalition government." |
| "The Liberal Democrats are extremely fortunate to have a large number of talented people on our benches ready to step into their shoes," added Mr Clegg. | |
| Tuition fees | Tuition fees |
| Ms Willott, MP for Cardiff Central since 2005, was appointed as an aide to the then Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne following the 2010 election. | Ms Willott, MP for Cardiff Central since 2005, was appointed as an aide to the then Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne following the 2010 election. |
| She quit the post later that year in order to vote against the government on student tuition fees. | She quit the post later that year in order to vote against the government on student tuition fees. |
| In February 2012 Ms Willott was appointed an assistant whip, also serving as consumer affairs and equalities minister while her colleague Jo Swinson was on maternity leave. | In February 2012 Ms Willott was appointed an assistant whip, also serving as consumer affairs and equalities minister while her colleague Jo Swinson was on maternity leave. |
| In her resignation letter to Mr Clegg, Ms Willott said he was doing an excellent job as deputy prime minister and party leader. | In her resignation letter to Mr Clegg, Ms Willott said he was doing an excellent job as deputy prime minister and party leader. |
| In his reply, Mr Clegg said he understood Ms Willott's desire to resign from the whips' office in order to "speak in parliament and focus on your constituency". | In his reply, Mr Clegg said he understood Ms Willott's desire to resign from the whips' office in order to "speak in parliament and focus on your constituency". |
| Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb said he was "sorry" to see the Cardiff Central MP leave the government. | |
| He said on Twitter that she was a "very effective minister and whip" and that he "enjoyed" working with her. |