Nick Clegg on Brexit: 'We Should Retain the Freedom to Change Our Minds'

Angry, Uninformed Brexit Loonies Rage about Nick Clegg's Brussels Trip

Nick Clegg: 'Brexit-obsessed Government Isn't Doing Its Day Job' - BBC Newsnight

Nick Clegg gives Emily Maitlis his thoughts on the snap general election. Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs TV programme - with analysis, debate, exclusives, and robust interviews.

Nick Clegg Speaking On Stage at United for Europe

Owen Jones Meets Nick Clegg | 'I Warned David Cameron Over Failing Brexit Strategy'

Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister and ardent remainer, tells me he emailed David Cameron to tell him he was running a ‘bloodless’ campaign as the European Union referendum came to a climax. But, Clegg says, Cameron rejected his advice to deliver a more emotional message to combat the powerful Brexit slogan of ‘take back control’. The former leader of the Liberal Democrats went on to express his disbelief at Theresa May’s ‘hard Brexit’ strategy.

We also discussed his record in coalition government alongside the Conservative party led by David Cameron, the anger at the perceived betrayal over tuition fees, the bedroom tax and the raising of the income tax threshold.

Nick Clegg Interview In Full – Newsnight (2015)

Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg talks to Evan Davis about the EU referendum, and his biggest regret from his time in government - which he jokes is sitting next to David Cameron during PMQs and saying nothing.

Former Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg Says May Needs a Vision for Brexit

Nick Clegg Speaking to Lib Dems on 1st July 16

Nick Clegg Should Do 'Donkey Work' for Five Years to 'Repay' Party for Failure, Says Former Lib Dem MP

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Former Deputy PM told it would be an 'insult' if he quit parliament for Europe or the Lords as his legacy becomes central topic in leadership race


Nick Clegg must "repay" his party for taking them into government by doing "the donkey work of being a good constituency MP" for the next five years, furious Liberal Democrats have said.

Amid rumours that Mr Clegg is considering stepping down as an MP after leading the party to electoral wipeout, Lib Dems have told The Telegraph he must serve as a backbencher to atone for his disastrous decision to form a coalition.

It comes as the strategist credited with turning the Lib Dems into a party of government criticised Mr Clegg for repeating the “mistakes” of previous campaigns.

Lord Rennard, the Lib Dem peer, said there was “real anger” the party had lost so many MPs after talking about forming coalitions rather than its vision for the country before the vote.

A fierce battle over Mr Clegg’s legacy as party leader is due to take place over the coming weeks as the remaining Lib Dems decide who should be his succcessor. » | Ben Riley-Smith, Political Correspondent | Sunday, May 10, 2015

Nick Clegg Blocks Terror Laws Banning Extremists from Universities

Mr Clegg said he could not support the new legislation

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Laws to ban extremist speakers have been blocked by the Liberal Democrats for fears of "eroding" free speech after one of the worst Cabinet rows of the Coalition

Nick Clegg has blocked tough new laws intended to stop extremist speakers brainwashing university students for terrorism, raising fears that Britain will be left more vulnerable to attack.

The Deputy Prime Minister personally vetoed the plan during private talks with David Cameron, after one of the worst Cabinet rows in the Coalition’s five-year rule.

Mr Clegg said he could not support moves to require university bosses to vet visiting speakers and prevent impressionable students from falling under the spell of extremists – because Liberal Democrats feared the move would erode “free speech”.

Draft legal guidelines detailing how the ban would work, which were published by the Home Office in December, have now been scrapped. Senior government sources warned that students would remain at risk of radicalisation by preachers visiting campus Islamic societies. » | Tim Ross and Robert Mendick | Saturday, March 14, 2015

Nick Clegg Silences Radio Caller Who Tries to Justify Charlie Hebdo Shootings

Read the Pnik News article here | Joseph Patrick McCormick | Thursday, January 08, 2015

Iraq News: Tony Blair Airbrushing Role in Creating Isis in Iraq, Nick Clegg Says

Members of the Islam State of Iraq and Shaam (ISIS) with
senior commander Abu Waheeb

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Tony Blair is 'pretending' the 2003 invasion is not the current cause of Iraq chaos, Deputy PM says

Tony Blair is attempting to “airbrush” his role in creating the violence engulfing Iraq, Nick Clegg has said.

The former Prime Minister is engaged in a “pointless academic exercise” to “pretend” the 2003 invasion of Iraq did not contribute to chaos and bloodshed consuming Iraq today.

Jihadist fighters from ISIS, an al-Qaeda aligned force, have entered from Syria and seized a string of Iraqi cities, committing massacres of Iraqi Army prisoners.

Britain will not provide “frontline” military support to the Iraqi government but will provide "passive assistance" to the United States in the case of airstrikes, Mr Clegg indicated.


Asked at his monthly press conference whether Britain would allow the United States to use airbases or airspace, Mr Clegg said: “We will not be providing active, frontline military resources to any action taken.

"But of course we will talk to America about what can be done. We are not going to stand in the way of military action that is well-judged and well-targeted to try and reassert some semblance of order in Iraq. I am certainly not suggesting we rule out passive assistance, even if we are not going to embark on active assistance.”

Only the United States has the military capacity to strike in Iraq and Britain should not “pretend” that it can, Mr Clegg said. » | Matthew Holehouse, Political Correspondent | Monday, June 16, 2014

Clegg Under Pressure To Sack 'Disloyal’ Cable

Business Secretary Vince Cable (right) with Leader of Liberal
Democrats Nick Clegg

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Senior Liberal Democrats say Vince Cable should be stripped of his economic affairs title over plot to undermine Nick Clegg

Vince Cable should be stripped of his role as the Liberal Democrats’ voice on economic affairs over his links to a plot to undermine Nick Clegg, colleagues have said.

Senior Lib Dems are pushing Mr Clegg to sideline Mr Cable in the party’s general election campaign next year, giving control of economic policy to loyal younger ministers.

That could mean Mr Cable is denied a role in any pre-election television debates or a major position in any new coalition government the Lib Dems might join next year.

Mr Cable, the Business Secretary, is facing questions about his loyalty this week after it emerged that Lord Oakeshott, a friend and political ally, had secretly commissioned opinion polls that suggested the Lib Dems would win more votes if they ditched Mr Clegg.

Lord Oakeshott has said he told Mr Cable about some of his polling several weeks ago. Some Lib Dems say Mr Cable failed to stop “treacherous” moves to remove Mr Clegg and take his job. » | James Kirkup, and Georgia Graham | Thursday, May 29, 2014

Vince Cable Accused of Leadership Bid after 'Shambolic Coup'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Vince Cable, the business secretary, accused of having leadership ambitions after admitting he knew that his ally Lord Oakeshott was conducting secret general election polls

Vince Cable has been accused of trying to "take the reins" of the Liberal Democrat party after he was implicated in a "shambolic coup" to oust Nick Clegg.

The business secretary admitted he knew that his friend and party peer Lord Oakeshott had privately commissioned polls which were later used to try and undermine Mr Clegg’s position.

But in a statement addressing allegations of a plot Mr Cable failed to offer Mr Clegg his backing or endorsement.

One of the Lib Dem's leading figures accused Cable of trying to "take the reins" of the party and said that Mr Cable has "leadership ambitions".

However, in what critics described as a sign of weakness following his party’s wipeout in the local and European elections, Mr Clegg failed to sack or even condemn Mr Cable.

His decision led to further turmoil in the Liberal Democrats after a week in which MPs have called on Mr Clegg to stand aside and let Mr Cable take over. » | Steven Swinford, Senior Political Correspondent | Wednesday, May 28, 2014

We Need Nick Clegg – Demanding His Resignation Is Absurd

'Nick Clegg and his colleagues in the coalition have been blamed
for many of its actions, even those they privately opposed.'

THE GUARDIAN: The Liberal Democrats are lucky to have such an able and committed leader – and one with a lot to be proud of

Nick Clegg has been a principled, honourable and brave leader of the Liberal Democrats. He has borne criticism, even insult and abuse, with remarkable grace, maintaining a political position based on reason and on strongly held values. Such politicians are rare. It would be absurd to demand his resignation now because some parliamentary candidates think that bowing to a populist anti-Europe campaign would somehow win their seats for them. As for polling in four seats reported today by the Guardian, the survey was conducted throughout April, undermining its credibility – and was clearly commissioned and leaked for political purposes. » | Shirley Williams | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Vince Cable Accused of Plot to Oust Nick Clegg

Lib Dems say Nick Clegg is 'toxic' on the doorstep due to
decisions on policies such as tuition fees

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Supporters of the Deputy Prime Minister claim the Business Secretary's team commissioned polls designed to encourage Lib Dems to ditch Nick Clegg as leader

Nick Clegg’s allies have accused supporters of Vince Cable of plotting to undermine the Deputy Prime Minister’s position as Liberal Democrat leader.

Supporters of Mr Clegg have said that the Business Secretary’s team is responsible for commissioning opinion polls that suggest the Lib Dems will do better at the general election if they get rid of Mr Clegg.

Senior ministers close to Mr Clegg are also demanding that ICM Research, the polling firm that conducted the surveys, reveals who paid for the work.

The Lib Dem row over the polling comes as Mr Clegg faces calls for his resignation over the party’s dismal performance in the European elections, where the Lib Dems were beaten by the Greens and lost all but one of their MEPs.

Some Lib Dem MPs and candidates believe the party needs to remove Mr Clegg to improve its chances in next year’s general election. » James Kirkup, Political Editor | Tuesday, May 27, 2014

European Elections 2014: Nick Clegg Faces Fight for Survival after Lib Dems' Euro Disaster

THE INDEPENDENT: Local Liberal Democrat party activists begin calling emergency meetings to force leadership contest as triumphant Nigel Farage predicts Ukip will hold balance of power at next year’s general election

Nick Clegg failed to quell a grassroots revolt by Liberal Democrat activists on Monday night as they stepped up an attempt to oust him following the party’s disastrous performance in the European elections.

After the Deputy Prime Minister refused to fall on his sword, The Independent learnt that activists had begun to call emergency meetings of local parties across the country in order to force a leadership election. They require the backing of 75 parties to trigger a contest.

The other way to open a battle over who should head the party is for a majority of the Lib Dems’ 56 MPs to support such a move. For now, most MPs are remaining publicly loyal to Mr Clegg or keeping their heads down, but some may call on him to quit in the next few days. » | Andrew Grace, Nigel Morris | Monday, May 26, 2014

Nick Clegg: Election Losses Are 'Gutting and Heartbreaking'

In an emotional interview in which he appeared tired and red-eyed, deputy prime minister says he will not resign despite elections drubbing

Read and comment on the Telegraph article here | Georgia Graham | Monday, May 26, 2014

Nick Clegg's Supporters Round on Activists Calling for Him to Quit

Nick Clegg's supporters are criticising a push to oust the
Liberal Democrat leader from office in the wake of
disastrous local and European election results.

THE GUARDIAN: Lib Dem activists had claimed the deputy prime minister has no strategy to prevent electoral oblivion in 2015

Supporters of Nick Clegg have derided a push to oust the Liberal Democrat leader from office in the wake of disastrous local and European election results, claiming there were only minimal signs of a revolt inside the parliamentary party.

But Clegg's critics, comprising more than 200 party activists who backed the call for a change at the top, say the deputy prime minister is offering no strategy to prevent electoral oblivion in 2015 other than the hope that the current message will be better received in a year's time.

They claim there will be further momentum when the party sees the scale of the setbacks in the European elections. Some of those calling for a change in leader would prefer Vince Cable, the business secretary, to take the helm without a contest, but it is unlikely that the Treasury chief secretary, Danny Alexander, or other key figures at the top of the party would permit such a coronation. » | Patrick Wintour, Nicholas Watt and Rowena Mason | Sunday, May 25, 2014

Nick Clegg Backs Met’s Call for Muslims to Stop Sons Joining Syria Conflict

Speaking on his regular phone-in radio show on LBC, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg backs the Metropolitan police initiative to stop young British men from joining the Syria conflict. The Lib Dem leader warns that the return of radicalised fighters from Syria presents a serious security threat to the UK