Quotes from the House (No. 3)

House of Commons, Tues 12 December 2006, Order for Second reading of the Greater London Authority Bill

Michael Gove MP (Surrey Heath, Conservative): "The Minister for Housing and Planning said that . . . she was delighted that Greater London authority legislation had given London a Mayor who provided a strong voice for the city. It is remarkable that she should try to take the credit for that, as her party tried to strangle that voice by denying Mayor Livingstone the chance to be elected under a Labour banner, only to clasp him to its bosom once he had proved that he was a winner - a flip-flop typical of the Government's approach to local government."

Tom Brake MP (Liberal Democrat): "On the subject of flip-flops, will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Michael Gove: "The hon. Gentleman is an expert on flip-flops, but I think that we heard enough from him earlier."[Later in the debate]

Tom Brake: "Will the hon. Gentleman give way?"

Michael Gove: "No, thank you. When I want clarity I will not go to the Liberal Democrats for it. I have been disappointed there often enough."