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Jenny Willott quits UK coalition government | Jenny Willott quits UK coalition government |
(about 1 hour 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. | "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. | 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. | He said on Twitter that she was a "very effective minister and whip" and that he "enjoyed" working with her. |
However, Jo Stevens, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Cardiff Central, said Ms Willott's resignation was a "shameful admission" she had "neglected" her constituency. | |
She said: "It is completely arrogant of the Lib Dems to think that having delivered the bedroom tax, given a £100,000 tax cut to millionaires and trebled tuition fees that people will conveniently forget what they have done." |