article_snippet: Lib Dem attempts to distance themselves from deep Tory cuts descended into farce today when two thirds of Nick Clegg MPs stayed away from the Commons debate on two thirds of Nick Clegg's MPs rival Yellow Budget.
article_snippet: But despite the extraordinary stunt - which signals the death of the coalition - being central to Lib Dem hopes of survival at the next election, only 17 MPs, including Mr Alexander, bothered to turned up.
article_snippet: On the government frontbench, only Deputy PM Nick Clegg, Lib Dem chief whip Don Foster, Business Secretary Vince Cable and deputy Commons leader Tom Brake had turned up .
article_snippet: The Lib Dem minister carried on regardless, with just a handful of backbenchers looking on.
article_snippet: On the government frontbench, Nick Clegg (circled)Nick Clegg (circled), Lib Dem chief whip Don Foster, Business Secretary Vince Cable and deputy Commons leader Tom Brake had turned up.
article_snippet: After a slow start, a few more Lib Dems eventually filed in, taking the total to 17, less than a third of the 56 the party currently boasts.
article_snippet: Asked why so few colleagues had found the time to support Lib Dem Treasury minister Danny Alexander, a party insider said organising Lib Dem MPs was like 'herding cats'.
article_snippet: Just 17 Lib Dem MPs were in the Commons to hear Lib Dem Treasury minister Danny Alexander statement, with 40 choosing to stay awa .
highlights_snippet: But two-thirds of Lib Dem MPs stayed away and Nick Clegg left early .
  
highlights_snippet: Lib Dem insider says organising two-thirds of Lib Dem MPs MPs is like 'herding cats'
  Labour brands