AFTER the pantomime came the drama ...
Releated article: Nick and the beanstalkNick Clegg's leadership of the Liberal Democrats was in crisis yesterday after one-fifth of his MPs defied him by voting in favour of a referendum on the EU Lisbon Treaty.
The Hallam MP had ordered his 63 MPs to abstain in Wednesday's Commons debate on whether there should be a national vote on the Treaty. But three of the Lib Dem shadow cabinet quit their posts so they could vote in favour of a referendum. Another 10 MPs, including junior shadow ministers, also rebelled.
The revolt came less than three months after Mr Clegg took over as leader and he tried to talk it down. "Of course I regret that some people haven't been able to follow that collective decision. But that happens. It is part of politics."
