We have had the unedifying spectacle of Norman Lamb changing his mind. Norman Lamb is the Lib-Den MP for North Norfolk and right-hand man to Nick Clegg. You might have read in the papers, or seen on tele, that he is against Lansley's plans for the NHS. My advice is do not believe a word he says.
He represents a district which is having local elections and the Lib-Dems are doing very badly. He has now worked out that the NHS is a major stumbling block for the Lib-Dems. So how he is now against the plans. As Mr Clegg's personal adviser he did not tell Mr Clegg that the plans were wrong and would be unpopular before. Also he voted for the bill in the House of Commons so how has he suddenly realised that he would be willing to resign his position over it.
Let us be clear he is really in favour, even his objections seem to be about speed not the fundamental idea. It is not even clear to me he has any views at all on the subject, he will just go along with the bosses unless it threatens his popularity with his own electorate. It is important to remember he was once a lawyer, this means that he will argue for any case his client wants, whether he believes in anything is totally irrelevant.
He voted for the rise in student fees despite having signed the pledge but argued that Simon Wright, who used to be his gopher, should vote against the rise because he had a big university in his constituency so it would be sensible to allow him to vote against. Mr Lamb who did not have many students in his constituency did not have to worry.
What we see in Norman Lamb is a many with no values and no principles, when in opposition it was easy to get away with it; he could promise anything to anyone and nobody would know what he really was going to do. My guess is that the government will tinker with Lansley's plans, make it sound a big deal and Norman Lamb will cheerfully vote for the plans without a moments hesitation. This will of course be a few months after the local elections.
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