Labour Lib Dem coalition

Almost bankrupt (sic) the country? What nonsense. I assure you we won’t be bowing our heads or holding our noses or keeping our choice secret - unlike all those many (as always) people you know. I must post the definition of ‘ many’ sometime.

If Lib Dems and Labour ally, with Greens and SNP- even if only for tactical voting, I don't think Cons have a chance.

But yes, I know many in our family and friends, who, knowing that the Cons have almost bankrupt the country in a way not even Corbyn could have done, who will vote Tory with their head bowed down and holding their nose, and in secret - because they don't want to be taxed more to pay for above.

Not me, for sure!

Junior partners cannot exert much pressure. Look at the Conservative/LD coalition. I merely comment . I don’t expect the Conservatives to lose the next GE.

One more reason for a Lib-Lab alliance- so Lib Dems can push pressure on Labour to start the process on a form of PR with minimum required and get much closer to Europe and regain our place in Single Market and FMOP.

If Labour get in at the next general election, (which I expect them to do, even with KS as leader), does anyone believe that they’ll bring in PR? They never have in the past, except maybe when they’ve just lost an election.

M0nica, time for this to change. It has been the way due to First Past the Post- see saw disaster. Time for cooperation, putting heads together and find balance- and exclude the far right politics of the current Cons Party.

M0nica-absolutely!

M0nica spot on

Fleurpepper You are ever hopeful. No matter what party a smaller party goes into coalition with, there is one thing they can be absolutely be sure of - that they will be expected to carry the can for everything that is unpopular with the electorate and be blamed for everything that goes wrong.

What dominant party could resist the opportunity to increase their chances of outright victory in the next election by polishing their own credentiaals for re-election by blaming its junior partner for all its failings.

Could you show me where I said that FP.

Are u really saying that the Tories 'political approach' has not been 'authoritarian'- blimey!

It's more their political approach, I am afraid I find the lib dems authoritarian in a way that labour is not. I think or hope that their approach to Europe is different, I thought the lib dems approach to the referendum result was an example of that authoritarian approach. I think some of their policies say around prostitution, drugs etc show a lack of understanding of how our position in society impacts the choices we are offered. In their favour pupil premium as an idea (not so much in implementation) was one of those ideas that ranks alongside sure start for making a difference in peoples lives.

Oreo

Every political party would say they want those things tho
Fleurpepper

Well this has clearly not been the case for the past 12 years!

This may have been true of many conservatives in the past- but certainly not now.

Galaxy

I am not sure they have that much in common with the labour party, both of them disliking Tory policies isnt really enough

This

Every political party would say they want those things tho
Fleurpepper

they do want a fairer society, a Health and social care system that works for all, as well as an education system, better environmental care and renewables, and to try and repair the damage done to our relationship with Europe- and so much more.

Where do you think they would strongly disagree on and could not find a good and sensible compromise?

I am not sure they have that much in common with the labour party, both of them disliking Tory policies isnt really enough

M0nica

After last time I do hope the Lib Dems will steer well clear of any kindof coalition. As we know it means ditching most of your own policies and getting blamed for everything the senior partner goes wrong.

I hope they will go for a looser arrangement where the agree to support the main party on agreed key issues, but can refuse to support, even key policies if they conflict with Lib DEm policies.

Au contraire. It is clear they should have never ever have allied with Tories, as they are so so far apart. This does not mean they shouldn't ally again, with people with whom they have so much in common.

It's like saying that because someone had a disastrous first marriage, they should never marry again.

I think Nick Clegg was definitely desperate for power. The rest of the Lib Dems, not so much.

ronib

MayBee70 you ask what the actual policies of the Green Party are but that question can be asked of the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems. I have the impression that it’s all under wraps/being formulated/better not say because the Tories will steal the ideas. Same usual pantomime.

I’m not talking about the upcoming election but what each party’s core values are. My concern is that people vote Green because they think it’s a safe protest vote. Eg I assume the Greens are opposed to nuclear power and a nuclear deterrent. I’m not knocking them, by the way. As ever I dropped everything to listen to Caroline Lucas at PMQT and she was as magnificent as ever. Going back to the coalition DH told me that, at the time they didn’t find themselves able to support Labour for a particular reason ( which he can’t remember) and threw in their lot with the Conservatives for the sake of stability.I’m sure they thought they could rein in the Tories and it backfired on them. I don’t think it was because they were desperate for power at any cost. I wish people would remember every single promise the Conservatives have broken over the years.

After last time I do hope the Lib Dems will steer well clear of any kindof coalition. As we know it means ditching most of your own policies and getting blamed for everything the senior partner goes wrong.

I hope they will go for a looser arrangement where the agree to support the main party on agreed key issues, but can refuse to support, even key policies if they conflict with Lib DEm policies.

Freya5

Fleurpepper

BlueBelle

Labour Lib Dem’s and green would be a dream

Yes

You really think so. The only way LD will get to govern is in coalition, again. Look how successful that was last time, not. Davies thinks he can be kingmaker, so desperate for some power.

Yes, that is clear due to the First Past the Post system. The most damaging to the country is see-saw politics- jumping from one extreme, to the other, and back again. Disastrous, and hugely expensive.

Adding the Greeens would be really good for balance too- the only way they've had to few MPs is, again, due to the First Past the Post system- which does not lead to 'strong and stable' Government, as often said- but to extremes.

Fleurpepper

I really hope this will happen and with the Greens too.

I think there’s only ever been one Green MP so it’s not much use looking to them to form a government.

Fleurpepper

BlueBelle

Labour Lib Dem’s and green would be a dream

Yes

You really think so. The only way LD will get to govern is in coalition, again. Look how successful that was last time, not. Davies thinks he can be kingmaker, so desperate for some power.

Grantanow

I don't need to read a book to understand the failings of our Parliamentary system. Too many MPs are election winners with few other skills, hence a need to scrape the barrel when appointing Ministers. PR might lead to a more considered legislature but that would depend on the ruling coalition and a significant improvement in the quality of MPs.

I honestly think you do need to read it, Grantanow. It isn't just the MPs and ministers who are dysfunctional, it's the whole system. Dunt covers not only MPs (selection, election and their marginalised role as 'legislators' (for example, the fact that they have rarely had time to read the bill that they're voting on, so they don't actually have much of a clue as to what it actually contains) but also the workings of the Executive (i.e the government, which is not the same as Parliament, the legislative body) ,Ministers, advisors, the Lords, the Civil Service and the media lobby system(which should be holding the government to account, but which, on the whole, isn't). It is extensively researched and is a real eyeopener.