Nick Clegg Makes Genuinely Funny Grant Shapps 'Get Rich Quick' Gag

Nick Clegg Makes Grant Shapps 'Get Rich Quick'' Gag...

Tory party chairman Grant Shapps has been constantly targeted by jokes over the revelation that he wrote get-rich-quick books under the pseudonym Michael Green.

And Nick Clegg jumped on board with a (genuinely) funny gag in the Commons today while slapping down Shapps' suggestion that the Lib Dems might be prepared to reverse their opposition to the redrawing of the electoral map in exchange for money.

"I've already read in the press, reports that the chairman of the Conservative Party wishes to strike a deal with us on boundaries in return for a party funding deal," Clegg said.

"Finally that's a get-rich-quick scheme he is prepared to put his name to," the deputy prime minister added to laughter.

Clegg decided to veto the boundary review, which would aid the Tories chances of winning the next election, after Tory backbenchers sunk plans to reform the House of Lords.

The Lib Dem leader appeared to be having fun confirming to MPs today that he and his party will vote against the review when it comes to a vote, much to the irritation of Tory backbenchers.

The cash-strapped Lib Dems have been quick to shoot down suggestions they would U-turn on the decision in exchange for state funding of political parties.

"Speculation about a deal on boundary changes is wrong: boundary changes are dead. Shuffled off their mortal coil. They are ex-reforms," the party press office said on Tuesday.

Close

What's Hot