How dozens of new Lib Dem MPs have joined private members' club

by · Mail Online

Two dozen new Liberal Democrat MPs have accepted more than £30,000 of memberships to a private members' club, it can be revealed.

The Commons' third-largest party has so far largely remained unscathed by the freebies row engulfing Westminster.

But a Mail analysis of the latest MPs' register of interests found that 25 Lib Dem MPs have accepted free memberships to the prestigious National Liberal Club since the July election.

The National Liberal Club is just a stone's throw from Parliament in one of Westminster's most historic buildings and offers sweeping views over the River Thames.

Established by former Prime Minister William Gladstone in 1882, the organisation's ex-members also include Sir Winston Churchill, playwright George Bernard Shaw and poet Rupert Brooke.

Inside the lounge of The National Liberal Club which is just a stone's throw away from Parliament
Party leader Sir Ed Davey (pictured) also has complimentary membership, although he accepted his before the election
Europe's largest freestanding spiral staircase, located at The National Liberal Club

Its website states: 'The National Liberal Club offers its members and guests an oasis of calm, comfort and elegance in the heart of Westminster.

Read More

Lib Dem female councillors quit en masse in row over sexual harassment probe into ex-council leader

'Imagine the Natural History Museum, only grander, more elegant and more intimate.'

It boasts a smoking room, Europe's largest unsupported marble staircase, several wood-panelled lounges, bars and restaurants and London's largest private outdoor terrace area overlooking the River Thames and London Eye.

Bottles of wine sell for up to £150.

Most MPs registered that their complimentary memberships were worth more than £1,500 for a year.

Among them are the party's deputy leader Daisy Cooper and its education spokesman Munira Wilson.

Among the MPs accepting membership are the party's deputy leader Daisy Cooper (left) and its education spokesman Munira Wilson (right)
The outside of The National Liberal Club in one of Westminster's most historic buildings

Party leader Sir Ed Davey also has complimentary membership, although he accepted his before the election.

The MPs' register of interests also shows that Sir Ed bagged £584-worth of Taylor Swift concert tickets in August at Wembley Stadium.

Last night, the party tried to justify its MPs taking the freebies.

A spokesman said: 'The National Liberal Club was originally founded by Liberal MPs to support the party's work in Westminster.

'It won't be a huge surprise that some newly elected Liberal Democrat MPs have continued this century-old tradition and taken up the offer of a free year-long membership.'