If any further proof were needed that the Liberal Democrats live up to neither part of their name, then the treatment of Roman Catholic Robert Flello would have provided it. They were glad enough to have him when he defected from Labour but have now deselected him because he supports neither abortion nor gay marriage.

Ann Widdecombe’s quote critiques the Liberal Democrats for their perceived hypocrisy in not living up to the ideals suggested by their name. She highlights the case of Robert Flello, a Roman Catholic politician who, according to Widdecombe, was initially welcomed by the party when he defected from Labour. However, the party later deselected him due to his stance on abortion and gay marriage, which are issues that do not align with the Liberal Democrats' more progressive views on social issues.

Widdecombe uses this example to argue that the Liberal Democrats claim to uphold both liberal and democratic values, yet in practice, they seem to demand conformity to a specific ideological viewpoint, particularly on issues like reproductive rights and same-sex marriage. She suggests that the party’s willingness to accept Flello only when it was politically advantageous reveals a lack of true commitment to the principles of liberalism and democracy, which should, in her view, accommodate a range of opinions and beliefs.

Her criticism also underscores the tension within political parties regarding the inclusivity of differing viewpoints. Flello’s Catholic beliefs, particularly his opposition to abortion and gay marriage, were apparently deemed incompatible with the party’s platform, demonstrating how political organizations often prioritize ideological purity over diversity of thought. Widdecombe is questioning the tolerance of the Liberal Democrats, implying that they are more concerned with maintaining a homogenous set of values than truly embracing the diverse opinions within society.

Ultimately, Widdecombe’s words serve as a critique of the Liberal Democrats’ treatment of Robert Flello and their broader political strategy. She argues that their actions betray the very principles of liberalism and democracy, showing how political parties sometimes prioritize ideological conformity over the inclusivity and tolerance that their names may suggest.