Cameron Clegg divide deepens over intern schemes

The Prime Minister says that he does and “will go on” awarding internships out to personal acquaintances.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, David Cameron revealed he had given one internship to his neighbour, and defended the use of awarding work experience positions to people that he knew:

“In the modern world, of course you’re always going to have internships and interns – people who come and help in your office who come through all sorts of contacts, friendly, political, whatever.

“I do that and I’ll go on doing that. I feel very relaxed about it.”

David Cameron also said that he did lots of holiday jobs in his youth, including one job at his father’s office the stockbroker Panmure Gordon.

He admitted that particular placement was “a definite leg-up internship”.

Earlier this month, Nick Clegg attacked the practice saying that everyone deserved a fair chance and that career opportunities should not be determined by “who your father’s friends are”.

However Nick Clegg was then forced to endure cries of hypocrisy as it was revealed that he himself obtained his first big job by family friend Lord Carrington.

Nick Clegg's social mobility drive 'doesn't go far enough'
One of the Deputy PM's own interns tells Channel 4 News the social mobility strategy has to focus on paying interns.
Click here to read more from Nick Clegg's intern on social mobility

The Prime Minister’s remarks were criticised by Gus Baker of Intern Aware, who said that although David Cameron’s behaviour might be giving a “leg up” to family and friends, they were in effect “denying opportunities to talented, hard working young people who lack connections and can’t afford to work for free.”

He also urged the prime minister to ensure all his internships were both transparently advertised, and paid.

Labour’s shadow education secretary, Andy Burnham, also attacked the remarks saying it was “outrageous” to suggest there was no problem for the rick and powerful to help out friends, while others were prevented from getting a head start in life.

A Downing Street spokesman later said the intern Cameron referred to would be working at his constituency office, not Whitehall and is from a local comprehensive school.

Today’s comments will further highlight the differences within the coalition government, already under strain over the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum in May.

Business Secretary Vince Cable, campaigning for a Yes vote for the AV system, called for Lib Dem and Labour voters to work together to end “Tory dominance.”

He said: “It’s been largely forgotten that Liberal and Labour MPs voted AV through the House of Commons but in 1931 the reform was never completed.

“Conservative governments have dominated ever since without securing a majority of the popular vote.

“It’s time for the progressive majority in the country to rise above this narrow tribalism and support this reform because we need to make sure the progressive majority wins elections in this century and not the Conservatives as they did, by the back door, for two-thirds of the last century.”

AV: to vote Yes or No?

As the date for the referendum on changing the way this country elects government in approaches, Channel 4 News approaches both sides of the debate asking them to make their case for the public's vote on May 5.

AV referendum - why you should vote Yes

AV referendum - why you should vote No

Or if you want to know more about AV, then read our handy guide: Alternative Vote - your questions answered

Ed Miliband, who is campaigning with Cable on AV voting reform, has already called for Vince Cable and other senior Lib Dems to defect to Labour, sensing their apparent unease with some of the recent coalition government policy.

He told Channel 4 News Political Correspondent Cathy Newman that there’s a home for any Lib Dem MP who wanted to join Labour.

“I think we are now the natural home for progressive politics because we are the only party that can meet a credible claim on social justice.”

The Conservative-led Government is a betrayal of many of the principles that Lib Dems stood for. I hope as many as possible will either jump ship, or come and work with Labour.”