I have for a long time been sceptical of the idea that the AV referendum will damage the
work of the coalition — even once the recriminations start to fly. Having seen it up close, I know how much effort both Tory and Lib Dem ministers actually put in to keep each other informed
of their work and policies. Tory-led Departments often consult Lib Dems. And the PM and the DPM seem to have a better relationship than most of their predecessors had. They are certainly more
ideologically aligned than Tony Blair was with John Prescott.
Now Sam Coates says in The Times (£) that things are hitting the skids, with Tories deliberately blocking Lib Dems from gaining access to key documents and briefings. I don’t doubt that this happens. But many Cabinet ministers will be weary of sharing material with their junior ministers, even if they are from the same party.
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