Could Labour work with the LibDems

[modeller]

It has been suggested that another hung parliament could result in a Labour /Lib/Dems coalition.

Is that possible ?


http://www.telegraph....lt-says-Miliband.html

[anotheoldgit]

Unless you want to see England go completely down the pan, I hope not.

[AB Editor]

I quite like the LibCon coalition - a much more tethered and sensible government.

I don't think Lib-Dem policies fit all that nicely with the current Labour nonsense? There's also probably too many ex-ministers on the Labour side to have any kind of working coalition arrangement with them.

[Quizmonster]

"Current Labour nonsense, Mr Ed"? Remind me, what number u-turn are we on at the moment from the present coalition...the 36th in two years? That certainly sounds as if their policies are thoroughly thought out, doesn't it? You can't get much worse than a shambles that's "omni"; it means "all", which makes it a total shambles.

[anotheoldgit]

Quizmonster

That's amazing, it is such as you that are always complaining that the government doesn't listen to the people, and then when they do and then think about it, and then reverse their original plan, such as you criticise them for doing so.

They are damned if they don't, and then damned if they do.

[venator]

The LibDems are desperate enough, having had a taste of power, to junk all their policies and learn all the words of the Red Flag.

[venator]

Where's Gromit? we need an impartial angle on this....

[Baldric]

Sounds like a recipe for disaster.

[Gromit]

I suspect the number of LibDem MPs will halve at the next General Election. I think they now have 57 and that might come down into the 30s. So their ability to be the kingmakers next time will be diminished.
If they do lose a lot of votes and MPs it would be cheating the voters if Labour did form a Coalition with them. If the election is really close we may need to just go to the polls again like we did in 1974.

I hope it does not come yo that.

[Gromit]

AOG
// it is such as you that are always complaining that the government doesn't listen to the people, and then when they do and then think about it, and then reverse their original plan, such as you criticise them for doing so. //

We would prefer it if they listened first and made the right decision in the first place instead of cocking up and then getting frightened when they see the opinion polls, then changing their minds.

[Zeuhl]

<<That's amazing, it is such as you that are always complaining that the government doesn't listen to the people, and then when they do and then think about it, and then reverse their original plan, such as you criticise them for doing so. >>

I think the clue is in Old Git's own post.

The <think about it> bit should come sooner in the process without <then> in front of it.

[TTG]

Is that possible? Yes
Will it be a complete disaster? Yes

[LazyGun]

Aint it grand how all the tory types rush to defend the policy u-turns of this Coalition?

Wasn't the idol and darling of Toryies, Maggie Thatcher? Remind me again? What was her catchphrase? Oh yes, This Lady is Not for Turning. Tories then claimed that u-turns were a sign of weak government.

Now, the occasional u-turn on really important legislation might be a sign of listening and reactive governance - the sheer number of u-turns this government have been forced into, especially over trivial policy like the "pasty tax" tell a different story - A cabinet full of out of touch millionaires, making policy up on the hoof, with little evidence of any coherent scrutiny and review, and those policies meant for populist and short term political agenda, rather than for the benefit of the country as a whole.

Describing them as merely incompetent would be flattering them.....

[modeller]

Before the election many of the LibDem policies were left of Labour especially on defence and the benefit system, remember the TV debate with Gordon, Dave, and Nick. So I think a LibLab coalition is a more natural combination but it depends which way Labour moves. Ed doesn't seem keen on the idea.

[Gromit]

But if the LibDem vote collapses and they lose many MPs and still stay in Government (because they have jumped to Labour) then that would be disgraceful.

But who knows. I thought a Con/LibDem Coalition was an impossibility that is why I voted for the lying .

[New Judge]

The LibDems will jump into bed with anybody who will provide them with the spare keys to No.10.

Never in their wildest dreams could they have imagined they would be swanning in and out of Cabinet meetings wielding such a disproportionate level of power. The Coalition should never have been formed. Mr Cameron should have gone it alone,suffered a defeat or two in the Commons and called a fresh general election. What we have now is a dogs' breakfast of a government where nothing can be done if it may upset the LibDems (who gained less than 9% of the seats).

If the Labour Party is in a position to form a coalition government with the LibDems after the next election they must be absolutely stark raving made to do so.

[stokemaveric]

its a conservative govt in all but name...nick clegg is about as much good as a chocolate teapot...cameron pushes all his policies through almost without opposition from clegg or the liberals...

[modeller]

So what do you think stokemaverick could a LibLab work or not .? That was the question?

[stokemaveric]

i doubt it modeller..the libdems chose to partner the conservatives in the first place...politics is a cut and thrust arena...labour would not work with them...

[Quizmonster]

I'm glad to see that several of you think, as I do, that Anotheoldgit's excuse regarding a "listening" government is an absurdity. Unlike their old heroine, turning is this lot's hobby...at the moment, they're on an average of one policy out of the window about every three weeks!
Let's not forget that Clegg, when he saw his position, called on Labour as well as the Tories in 2010 to see what jump was most favourable to him. It could conceivably have gone either way then, so I have no reason to believe it would be any different in 2015.

The Times cartoon back then showed the front of the LibDems' HQ with a red light above the door and a notice reading, "Knock three times and ask for Nicki." That pretty-well sums it up.

[youngmafbog]

QM, how can you compare this Goverment with Thatchers? In case yu have not noticed it is a coalition so that fndamentally changes things.
Yes, it would be good to see the thought process put in place before, but you do need to state something as if its gospel for the papers and polls to react.
It is not possible to hold reforendums but you can get resposes from polls.

I dont have a problem with U-turns, better than using th eparilament acts (twice) to frce through unpopular laws.