Is it possible for a society marked by deep ethnic and religious diversity to identify a workable framework for deep diversity which does justice to all communities?
An alliance of bishops, senior Liberal Democrats and independent peers will today attempt to derail a key element of the Government's welfare reforms by voting against plans for a £26,000-a-year cap on benefits.
In a move that will embarrass Nick Clegg, the former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown said yesterday he would rebel against the Government for the first time over the measure because of the "unacceptable" hardship it would cause children.
He is expected to be joined by other Liberal Democrats, including the party's former Work and Pensions spokesman in the Lords, leading bishops and large numbers of cross-benchers to oppose the extent of the benefits cap in a vote on the proposals in the House of Lords tonight. "I [have] voted with the Government on everything until now," he said.
"I see it as my job as an ex-leader to support my successor but I will not support the benefit cap in its present form."
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, the Liberal Democrats' former spokesman on welfare reform in the Lords, added that a cap was acceptable "in principle". But he added: "Many of us back the bishops' argument that, as it stands, the Bill could split families and visit the sins of the fathers on the children."
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Ashdown leads Lib Dem revolt on welfare reform
23rd January 2012
An alliance of bishops, senior Liberal Democrats and independent peers will today attempt to derail a key element of the Government's welfare reforms by voting against plans for a £26,000-a-year cap on benefits.
In a move that will embarrass Nick Clegg, the former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown said yesterday he would rebel against the Government for the first time over the measure because of the "unacceptable" hardship it would cause children.
He is expected to be joined by other Liberal Democrats, including the party's former Work and Pensions spokesman in the Lords, leading bishops and large numbers of cross-benchers to oppose the extent of the benefits cap in a vote on the proposals in the House of Lords tonight. "I [have] voted with the Government on everything until now," he said.
"I see it as my job as an ex-leader to support my successor but I will not support the benefit cap in its present form."
Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay, the Liberal Democrats' former spokesman on welfare reform in the Lords, added that a cap was acceptable "in principle". But he added: "Many of us back the bishops' argument that, as it stands, the Bill could split families and visit the sins of the fathers on the children."
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