Lib Dems & Tories... Can they work together?

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

So Clegg has offered the Tories first shot at compromising enough to get the Lib Dems support.

What compromises will the Tories accept, or the Lib Dems insist on?

Electoral reform is a big point of contention, nuclear deterrent another, budget cuts and economic policy, particularly taxation, also areas of conflict.

And if they did agree a deal, could Clegg keep control of his MP's, many of whom are very left leaning, in crucial votes for Tory driven policy in parliament?

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

Lord Ashdown now on Sky saying the Conservatives did not win, and so "now don't have a mandate to shove their manifesto down the nations throat!"

Tories will only get a deal with Lib Dems if they "govern in the national interest".

Compromise, in other words.

Very interesting.

abaxas

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

And if they did agree a deal, could Clegg keep control of his MP's, many of whom are very left leaning, in crucial votes for Tory driven policy in parliament?

He has to keep control, or any plans for PR will be destroyed. Why would anyone want perm hung parliaments that the people who want it have proven doesnt work!

JasonLVC

A Tory-LibDem alliance is not impossible....and if not a formal alliance, perhaps an "understanding" on key issues.

Would Clegg rather be associated with the other 'losing' party and a discredited/disliked PM or instead try his chances of getting onto the world stage by sidling upto the new boy Cameron and a bit of LibDem shadowing should keep the Tories from going too far right of centre.

I don't personally believe there are gaping chasms between them in terms of pledges. So can they work together?. Both wanted to see massive cuts in public sector spending for instance so there is some parity.

This election is not really the important factor though, the bigger picture is. Will the money markets tolerate another Labour Term (apparently not as the £ drops 3 cents since last night), will the EU debt problem go away with 'more of the same'? I don't know, but there is certainly much more at stake here than a few egos and compromises.

Graham_Devon

Think Nick Clegg is being pretty sensible about it all. Haven't really heard anything from the Tories.

Harriet Harman was going on this morning as if a lib lab pact was already sorted out and in force, answering any question of "but what about the voters" with "well tories didnt win". Think she even annoyed the presenter as even he raised his voice at her. Only for her to trot out the usual line of "but our plans are best for the country, we know what the electorate want".

For Nick though, I believe the economy will be number one, so get a party together than can deal with that. Second to that, the electoral reform will be on Nicks mind. I don't think a coalition between tories and lib dems would go much further than this.....but they may be able to keep the economy running a little better than it would with this hung parliament situation, and may be able to sort out voting reform before calling another election.

I certainly wouldn't align myself with labour, especially considering you stil wouldn't get a majority. It's asking the nation to put up with too much, and I think Clegg knows this.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

If the Libs insist on PR, the Tories can never agree surely as they'll be out of power for a generation if they do.

Will the libs insist? It's their golden opportunity, as Labour probably would agree to a referendum on PR.

Will the Tories agree? And then stall it until they think they can win?

lostinrates

I think it would be exciting to see and watch. Conservatives would gain in public image from Clegg and Cable et al, lib dems would gain credence to their views on representation (goingwith the party with most seats even if distasteful in some quarters) and a real chance to have a meaningful impact. Voters would get what musty be considered a fair representation if respecting seat wins in the current system.

I think they should make it work.

lynzpower

The conservative party faithful dont like, have never liked PR.

Conservatives pride themselves on the preservation of the FPTP system as A GOOD THING, rooted in tradition, the old way, the mother of parliaments etc.

I just saw boris on TV choking on the idea that Tories will approve PR.

the problem is that if Lib dems DONT secure PR now, then it will be cast out for a generation- they know that, we know that.

ILW

Wouldn't PR give us a hung parliament forever?

lostinrates

ILW wrote: »

Wouldn't PR give us a hung parliament forever?

I'm assured by people here that it can work.

The time I was in Italy I watched things lumber a long, Prodi throwing his hands up in the air, stamping his feet and walking out when things were getting tough.

I think we are possibly more suited to PR in a ''national temperament'' but it does cncern me that we need a decisive government in ''complex times''.

bioboybill

ILW wrote: »

Wouldn't PR give us a hung parliament forever?

No. Seems to work well in Germany.