can oppositions form coalitions?

ninky_2

is there anything to stop opposition parties to a minority govenment forming coalitions?

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

ninky wrote: »

is there anything to stop opposition parties to a minority govenment forming coalitions?

No.

Although if a formal coalition, and they outnumber the minority, then it's difficult to see how the minority would remain in power.

But in our current situation, an anti-tory alliance would be almost certain. Which is why a Tory minority government would be doomed to failure.

If they can't get a lib dem coalition, then they'll have to operate through a "supply and confidence" agreement with the lib dems. Which may get the Queens speech and (questionably) Budget through, but that'd be about it.....

Really2

ninky wrote: »

is there anything to stop opposition parties to a minority govenment forming coalitions?

No but unless they can secure a majority with the coalitions it would be pointless. Not to add all the costs of doing such deals.

A lib, Lab + X + X + X + X would not work in my opinion, be expensive and also send a message to the world we are crackers.

I think another election would happen before that TBH.

Generali

The opposition in Australia is a coalition at the moment. It varies from state-to-state but basically it's between the Liberal and National Parties. They've been in coalition for decades I believe and they do it to prevent the centre right vote being split between the 2 parties. They often compete for seats at a local level.

michaels

Suppose the Tories and Lib Dems do agree such a 'supply and confidence' agreement how will they force the current govt to get out of the way and allow them to form a minority govt?

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

No.

Although if a formal coalition, and they outnumber the minority, then it's difficult to see how the minority would remain in power.

But in our current situation, an anti-tory alliance would be almost certain. Which is why a Tory minority government would be doomed to failure.

If they can't get a lib dem coalition, then they'll have to operate through a "supply and confidence" agreement with the lib dems. Which may get the Queens speech and (questionably) Budget through, but that'd be about it.....

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

michaels wrote: »

Suppose the Tories and Lib Dems do agree such a 'supply and confidence' agreement how will they force the current govt to get out of the way and allow them to form a minority govt?

In order to form a government the prospective PM must meet the Queen and assure her that they have the confidence of the commons.

No government can be formed until the Queen is convinced (via either a majority, or a confidence agreement) that this is the case.

CLAPTON

michaels wrote: »

Suppose the Tories and Lib Dems do agree such a 'supply and confidence' agreement how will they force the current govt to get out of the way and allow them to form a minority govt?

obviously brown will visit the queen and advise her to invite Cameron to form a government... and it wouldn't be a minority governemnt as tory plus libdems make a majority

ninky_2

Generali wrote: »

The opposition in Australia is a coalition at the moment. It varies from state-to-state but basically it's between the Liberal and National Parties. They've been in coalition for decades I believe and they do it to prevent the centre right vote being split between the 2 parties. They often compete for seats at a local level.

they're putting a lot of pressure on rudd at the moment too aren't they?

and i can see a point in lib / lab doing this to prevent a split in the centre left vote here. add pr to that and the tories are toast.

allow the tories their minority govt then come back with an opposition coalition and new leader when the inevitable re-election happens.

marklv

ninky wrote: »

is there anything to stop opposition parties to a minority govenment forming coalitions?

It's all about the number of MPs. Being the largest party alone does not give you the right to form a government. You need an absolute majority in parliament to form an effective government, otherwise you run the constant risk of being voted down on every piece of legislation.