ROMSEY'S Member of Parliament, Sandra Gidley, is still on the Liberal Democrats' front bench, despite going against an order from her party's leader, Nick Clegg ,last week.

Mrs Gidley was one of 13 Lib-Dem MPs who refused to go along with an order from Mr Clegg to abstain on a Conservative move to force a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, which was a replacement for an attempted European Constitution which failed to make any progress.

In her "Letter from Westminster" in the Romsey Advertiser last week, she explained: "I told my constituency executive meeting that, after a great deal of soul-searching, I had decided I had to vote in favour of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. I was relieved to receive support and confirmation that they thought I was doing the right thing.

"It was with a heavy heart that I voted against the party line but, ultimately, I feel that I have honoured my pledge at the last election and, in my heart of hearts, I know that I have done the right thing."

After the vote, Mrs Gidley visited the party's chief whip, Paul Burstow, and she said later: "He made his feelings clear on the matter, but we parted on amicable terms.

"It might be difficult if I blot my copybook again, but I am not a regular rebel and I have the utmost respect for Mr Clegg and I am confident that we, as a party, are behind him.

"The Lisbon Treaty issue was one which had been simmering for some time and, in a way, it was good that this happened early in his leadership."

* Read the latest Letter from Westminster in this week's paper.