The Conservative Party is to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats following Gordon Brown's resignation as Britain's prime minister.
What's happening?
The Conservatives have agreed to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrats. It is the first time Britain has had a coalition government in 70 years - and the first time these two parties have ever agreed to a power sharing deal at a national level in the UK. Conservative leader David Cameron will lead the new government but there will be senior cabinet post for Liberal Democrat MPs, including leader Nick Clegg.
Why didn't the Tories form a government after the election?
They didn't get a clear win. Normally the party with more MPs than all the others put together forms a government, but the Conservatives fell just short of that. They have 306 MPs - they needed 326 for a majority. When no-one has a majority of MPs it is called a
What sort of deal have the Conservatives and Lib Dems done?
David Cameron made it clear in his speech on the steps of Number 10 that it would be a full coalition, as opposed to more basic deal to sustain the Conservatives in power but no more. It is not yet clear how this will work in practice, but it is likely to mean cabinet seats for Lib Dem MPs. There has been speculation Nick Clegg will be made deputy prime minister and David Laws may be education secretary. The agreement may also be for a limited time, in order to provide stability.
What will be their key priorities?
They have said their top priority is the economy and cutting Britain's record budget deficit. "Fairer" taxation is another Lib Dem priority, with some agreement likely on a move towards Lib Dem plans to raise the point at which people start paying tax to £10,000. Education is seen as crucial too. Both parties want similar-sounding pupils' premiums and further schools reforms. Cleaning up politics is also near the top of the agenda and there are a range of measures from fixed term Parliaments, banning non-dom peers, curbs on lobbyists and recalling MPs that both parties agree on. Finally, and most importantly for the Lib Dems, electoral reform. There will be a referendum on scrapping Britain's first-past-the-post voting system in favour of the Alternative Vote method before the next general election, under Tory proposals - even though the Conservatives are likely to campaign for against any voting change.
How will it work?
It is impossible to say precisely, as we are in uncharted waters. A document is likely to be published saying which of the policies, from the two party manifestos, will be the government's main priorities. Leading Lib Dem MPs, such as Nick Clegg, Vince Cable or David Laws, could also be given seats in a Tory cabinet. There is still a question mark over how the deal will work when it comes to voting in the Commons. As a minimum, the Lib Dems would have to allow the Tories to pass a Queen's Speech, setting out their legislative priorities, and would also back the party's planned emergency budget, aimed at cutting the deficit, which is likely to include large scale public spending cuts. But on some issues, such as Europe and immigration, the two parties are far apart. On any contentious issue the Lib Dems would have the option of abstaining, which would still preserve the Conservatives' majority - or they could vote with other parties against them and bring an end to the deal.
What will the two parties make of the deal?
Both men have tried to take their parties with them during the negotiations, giving them regular updates and taking soundings, but there is still likely to be much anger among backbench MPs and grassroots activists on both sides who are more used to battling against each other in local and general elections than being on the same side.
What happens to Gordon Brown and Labour?
Gordon Brown has been to the Palace to formally tender his resignation as prime minster to The Queen. He has also stood down as leader of the Labour Party with immediate effect, handing over the reins to acting leader Harriet Harman. There will now be a battle to succeed Mr Brown at the head of the Labour Party, with a new leader likely to be in place by the middle of July. Labour Party MPs will sit on the opposition benches in the House of Commons for the first time in 13 years.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675848.stm
Published: 2010/05/11 20:25:20 GMT
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