The “Right to Recall” strategy was formed after prominent Liberal Democrats like Nick Clegg and Vince Cable lent their support to the findings of the Browne Review. In the May general election, Liberal Democrats targeted student-heavy constituencies nationwide with their “pledge” to oppose increases in tuition fees, with the aim to eventually abolish them all together.

Nick Clegg and Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle

The campaign is being targeted at constituencies such as Nick Clegg’s own Sheffield Hallam where there are sizeable numbers of student voters.

The Liberal Democrats are being punished by their own sword, as it was they themselves who proposed a right to recall MPs who lied about election promises. Under their proposals, an MP found to be lying on campaign literature could face a by-election if 10% of the constituency electorate petitioned for it.

Ironically it seems the “right to recall” policy they pursued has disappeared into the ether along with their promises over tuition fees.

Vince Cable defended the Liberal Democrats saying: “We didn’t break a promise. We made a commitment in our manifesto, we didn’t win the election. We then entered into a coalition agreement, and it’s the coalition agreement that is binding upon us and which I’m trying to honour”

Nick Clegg however, took a different line of defence: “At the time I really thought we could do it. I just didn’t know, of course, before we came into government, quite what the state of the finances were.”

UCLan President Michael Palmer organised a protest last Friday outside the surgery of Liberal Democrat MP for Burnley, Gordon Birtwistle.

In a statement Palmer said: “Over the past 3 months I have met with Gordon Birtwistle on behalf of UCLan students. During these meetings Gordon has stated it is unlikely he will keep to the pledge he made his constituency members leading up to the General Election. The pledge read ‘I pledge to vote against any increase in fees in the next parliament and to pressure the government to introduce a fairer alternative.’
“Gordon’s constituency is a swing seat and won the election with a small majority of 4%. It is my belief that families voted for Gordon based on this pledge and his party policy to abolish tuition fees. Gordon has stated to me previously that he signed the pledge without fully understanding its principles; this calls into question his competence as an MP.”

This month saw a landmark decision in British politics as an electoral court found Labour MP and former minister Phil Woolas guilty of illegal practices in his campaigning. Woolas was stripped of his Parliamentary status and a by-election has been called in his Oldham East & Saddleworth constituency.

The practices in question were a leaflet produced by Woolas that attacked his Liberal Democrat opponent Elwyn Watkins over immigration.  Woolas was found to have lied about Watkins and stirred racial tensions. Woolas has sought an appeal over the decision.

NUS President Aaron Porter revealed that the NUS may field a candidate in the Oldham East by-election if Phil Woolas’ appeal is unsuccessful. Asked if he would stand himself, Mr Porter said: “I don’t think it would be me,” but added that it was “important” to have the issue of tuition fees on the agenda.

This case may set a remarkable precedent of recalling MPs who renege on election promises.  However Woolas’ lies were in relation to an opponent, raising questions over whether a change in policy from the Liberal Democrats is grounds for recall.  New Statesman writer George Eaton points out: “The Lib Dems never suggested that MPs who break their promises should be targeted, merely those who “break the rules”.

“The “right to recall” initiative was specifically designed to respond to the extraordinary circumstances of the expenses scandal.”