Those are not my words. Professor Peter Hennessy from Queen Mary, University of London has called the last few days of uncertainty “five days that shock the British political system.” Britain had a hung parliament. Lord Norton warned that:

“A hung parliament is not a ‘people’s parliament’, it is the opposite: it is a politician’s parliament. Policy is the result of post-election bargaining. The people do not get a look in. Compromises are reached which may bear no relationship to what electors want, which were never placed before them, and which they may have no opportunity to pass judgement on at the next election if parties stand as independent entities: there is no one body to call to account.”

Perhaps so, but the people delivered a hung parliament. And a week is a long time in politics. As predicted by most and noted earlier, the Brits have a Tory/Liberal Democrat coalition government. Some call it a ‘coalition of necessity’ based on ‘electoral arithmetic’. Others, like Daniel Finkelstein, (a mate of David Cameron) think differently. The coalition’s policies are interesting to observe. As is the new cabinet.

Former Lord Chancellor Jack Straw, outlines why a Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition never had a chance. Philippe Legrain believes that:

“Labour is the big winner from this coalition deal. It won’t have to make the nasty public spending cuts, it won’t have any competition in opposition, and provided it chooses the right leader, it can refresh itself and win the next election.”

Maybe so. Who would be the ‘right leader’? David Miliband? Anyway, the coalition, now dubbed the ‘Dave and Nick Show‘ is meant to last five years. Would the marriage last until 2015? Or would they be going to the divorce courts much sooner? For the good of the country most hope it works. Others are hoping for another election, for the good of the country. Time will tell, but I am still doubtful. It will take one major disagreement for the marriage to collapse. But this coalition rests on the will of two strong men. And ‘Dave and Nick’ are strong and ambitious men.

Photo: BBC News Online.