Lib Dem turns down Teather
By Ned Simons - 9th March 2011
Lib Dem Stephen Gilbert has turned down an offer to be parliamentary private secretary to children’s minister Sarah Teather.
Writing in the Cornish Guardian, his local paper, the St Austell and Newquay MP said he declined the post as it would mean he would have to always toe the government line.
"As a member of the government you are expected to support everything it does,” he said.
“All dissent and disagreement is supposed to take place behind closed doors where members of the government hammer out their differences and then present a 'collective' view."
Gilbert said he wanted to focus on his constituency work and still be free to vote against the government if he wanted to.
The role of PPS’ has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after Tory MP Sarah Wollaston turned down a role with a Conservative minister, arguing she could not justify it to her constituents.
"How could I have looked them in the eye if I had signed away the ability to speak about the very subject for which I was elected? She said.
"Ministers should have collective responsibility, but why the need to silence their PPS?
While not a ministerial position, PPS’ are part of the so-called payroll vote and are expected to always support the government.
Before becoming being elected Gilbert worked in public affairs, including for communications consultancy PPS. Maybe he had a bad time and the acronym brings back unhappy memories...
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