Tory-Liberal Dem coalition already cracking

[marmar]

from the Independent UK:




First cracks in coalition as Tories query Europe and vote reform policies

By Andrew Grice, Political Editor
Friday, 14 May 2010


A day after the love-in between David Cameron and Nick Clegg, the new coalition government came down to earth yesterday as Conservative MPs expressed doubts that the partnership would last.

The unity between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats showed its first signs of cracking as Tory backbenchers began to question the Government's policies on electoral reform, Europe and a controversial plan to change the Commons rules to prevent a general election being triggered.

Although the first meeting of the Cabinet was good humoured, reality dawned with appeals for any differences between the two partners to be kept private. A committee, jointly chaired by Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg, will be set up to resolve them.

Lord Heseltine, the Tory former Deputy Prime Minister, said the inevitable public spending cuts would cause "terrible strains" between the two coalition parties and within them. "We are living in a false dawn," he said. "The sun is shining. Let's enjoy it. It is not going to last very long... There is a rocky road ahead." .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/first-cracks-in-coalition-as-tories-query-europe-and-vote-reform-policies-1973091.html

[roamer65]

1. It won't last.

In a few months, it will either be a Lib-Lab minority coalition gov't, minority Con gov't or new elections.

[KILL THE WISE ONE]

2. it will not last a year

[HipChick]

3. Alex..for $500 I'm going with new elections in a 6 months..

[glinda]

5. didn't they change the law to a not less than 5 yr. in-office rule?

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. They *want* to change the law, but parliament hasn't actually met yet

That's the "controversial plan" in the OP excerpt. It's a bit confused at the moment; they seem to be saying the opposition would be able to pass a vote of no confidence with a simple majority (ie more than 50% of the MPs' votes cast) to bring down the government, but that for the government to call any early election (which, at the moment, the PM can do by himself - he just goes to the Queen to ask for it, who it is assumed would have to agree), it would need 55% of the MPs' votes.

For comparison, the Scottish Parliament was set up with 4 year fixed terms, with an extraordinary general election to be held either if 2/3rds of the MSPs vote for it, or they cannot agree on a new First Minister within 28 days of the last one going (eg if he loses a vote of confidence, or resigns). The parts of the Scotland Act which cover this:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980046_en_2#pt1-pb2-l1g2
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/ukpga_19980046_en_4#pt2-pb1-l1g45

[T_i_B]

8. The 55% bit is the controversial bit that could see the fixed term legislation derailed

Several Tory MPs have expressed doubts about this. Here's the website for the anti-55% campaign

http://noto55.com/

[reggie the dog]

9. or they will just start to vote with labour and the snp in 3 months

[Puzzler]

4. The fact that some of the Tory backbenchers won't be thrilled about the alliance ...

... is hardly surprising. There are a few right wing crazies there, and you can bet that the British press will be focusing on them like the US MSM does with the Teabaggers.

[glinda]

6. Conservatives will boost Murdoch's propaganda paper. I have no hope now for them.

Conservatives are liars, pricks, assholes, backstabbers, greedy SOB's. Oh...and nutjobs.