Vince Cable: Liberal Democrats will not side with Labour on mansion tax
VINCE Cable has averted a potential coalition embarrassment by announcing the Liberal Democrats will not vote with Labour in favour of mansion tax.
The Business Secretary said his party will vote for an amendment tomorrow that recognises the Coalition's differing view on the issue.
Mr Cable, who had toyed with the idea of siding with Ed Miliband's party in the Commons, said a solution was found to the opposition's "cynical games".
The 69-year-old said: "This amendment allows Liberal Democrats in Parliament to back our long-held policy of the mansion tax. We created it and will continue to champion it."
The Labour leader had recently adopted the long held Lib Dem policy and had challenged Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg to break rank.
Mr Cable added: "The amendment also makes it clear that although we are in coalition with the Conservatives, we have different views on the desirability of a mansion tax.
"The Liberal Democrats will not however support a Labour motion designed exclusively to play cynical party political games."
The coalition parties will vote on an amendment that specifically notes the Lib Dems advocate the tax while the Tories do not.