Lib Dem peer attacks cuts and has doubts on Big Society

In his first major interview since stepping down from his Harrogate seat last year and being appointed to the House of Lords, Lord Willis of Knaresborough has broken his silence to admit that while he still broadly supports the coalition, he has grave fears over “ideologically” led cuts and reforms and says not enough is being done to promote growth.

The 69-year-old, who is a prominent figure on the Left of the party and was tipped as a potential leader when Charles Kennedy stepped down in 2006, has also lifted the lid on the lobbying scandal which many predict could soon erupt to engulf Westminster, where former MPs cash in by exploiting their government connections to business.

Lord Willis, who became embroiled in the expenses affair after allowing his daughter to use a flat on which he claimed thousands of pounds in allowances, said: “I just think it stinks, it just isn’t for me.

“I received over 12 offers of significant sums of money for doing one or two days a week. I was determined I wasn’t going into that.

“It has been hard having to bite my tongue but I was determined I was not going to be a lightning conductor for dissent.

“I found it very hard having been left of centre all my life and seen the Conservatives very much as the party of opponents to suddenly find you are in a party of coalition.

“I fully supported the coalition because I didn’t think there was any alternative, but to try and pretend I support every policy and every part of the agreement is just not so – that would just be hypocritical.”