Derby Conservatives given Lib Dem support

By Tobias Benedetto The new politics is catching – Derby City Council will have a Conservative administration propped up with the support of Liberal Democrat councillors. The two groups agreed to a two-year programme of ‘mutual support’ today. Conservative councillor Harvey Jennings will lead the new administration. Mr Jennings said: “Derby needs a period of […]

Lib-Con: The Cabinet in full

Here is the full list of attendees at Britain’s first coalition government in living memory: The Lib Dems have five seats in Cabinet – including Nick Clegg as deputy PM. – – – – – – – Prime minister: David Cameron Deputy prime minister: Nick Clegg (LD) First secretary of state and foreign secretary: William […]

Clegg defends Lib-Con coalition

By politics.co.uk staff Nick Clegg has defended the coalition government against criticism, telling those Lib Dems who are uncomfortable working with the Conservatives that it was the only way to respond to the general election result. The Lib Dem leader admitted it could be a difficult pill for Liberal Democrats to swallow, but insisted there […]

Backbench rumblings could spell trouble for Speaker

By politics.co.uk staff Backbench Tory MPs are already predicting trouble ahead for the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition – with Speaker John Bercow also looking vulnerable. Two Conservative backbenchers have already spoken out about their concerns with the coalition. Newly elected MP for South Dorset Richard Drax said he thinks the alliance between David Cameron and […]

Lib-Con: The policies

Find out what’s in store for the UK with the most important parts of the deal finalised between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. What was dropped, what was kept, and where did they agree to disagree? The economy: The Lib Dems have agreed to cuts of £6 billion to non-frontline services in 2010/11. Planned […]

Lib Dems: Labour scuppered progressive alliance

By Alex Stevenson “Certain key Labour Cabinet ministers” were responsible for the quick collapse of talks towards a Lib-Lab coalition, the Liberal Democrats have claimed. A statement attributed to a party spokesperson said prominent Labour figures held out on policy issues and suggested Labour “would not deliver” on proportional representation. “It is clear that some […]

Coalition PM Cameron enters No 10

By Ian Dunt David Cameron has entered No 10 as prime minister, after a day of negotiations in which the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats agreed to form a coalition government. “Nick Clegg and I are both political leaders who want to put aside party differences and work hard for the common good and the national […]

Lab/Lib pact will hurt credit rating, bankers warn

By politics.co.uk staff A coalition between Liberal Democrats and the Labour party could lead to a downgrading of Britain’s credit rating, City analysts have warned. Experts at BNP Paribas have said: “Lab/Lib government is the least liked option by markets and would almost guarantee a downgrade of the UK sovereign [debt].” At the moment Britain […]

Labour heavyweights come out against Lib-Lab deal

By politics.co.uk staff Senior Labour figures are saying the party leadership should not do a deal with the Liberal Democrats to stay in government. Some sort of agreement between the Lib Dems and the Conservatives looked likely yesterday until it emerged that the third party was also talking to Labour, with a new leadership and […]

90% of Lib Dems back Tory talks

By politics.co.uk staff A surprisingly high number of Liberal Democrat members back Nick Clegg’s decision to enter into talks with the Conservatives. But the survey of 350 party members, conducted by Lib Dem Voice, found 80% of respondents believed progress on electoral reform should be a “deal-breaker”. Eighty-nine per cent of members backed Mr Clegg’s […]