Clegg: ‘Holding the fort’ but not acting PM
By Ian Dunt
Nick Clegg has clarified his role while David Cameron takes a break from work, saying he is “holding the fort” but not acting prime minister.
The formulation is a distinct change from the arrangements under Gordon Brown’s tenure, when deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman took charge.
Speaking at a Q&A event at Microsoft headquarters, the deputy prime minister explained his position on a range of subjects.
He was most passionate when berating the “lamentable” response of the international community to the floods in Pakistan, where the UK has donated a quarter of the total aid given to the country.
Asked how the public will know if the coalition government has been a success at the end of its term, Mr Clegg said it would be greener, freer and with a growing economy which was not dependent on a particular sector.
Mr Cameron has retreated to his Chequers country house and will travel for a holiday to Cornwall later, in a two-week break from work.
The deputy prime minister will have a busy fortnight, if this week’s schedule is anything to go by.
Today, he hosts a town hall meeting before attending a Ramadan ‘break fast’ event with international development secretary Andrew Mitchell.
On Wednesday, he makes a keynote speech on social mobility in which he is expected to announce that Alan Milburn, former Labour health secretary, will advise the government on the issue. He hosts another town hall meeting on Thursday.
