Alex Massie Alex Massie

The Worst Coalition in Recent British History?

It makes sense for the Conservatives to argue that a hung parliament doesn’t do the country many favours. It’s in their interest to make this case and, certainly, there’s something to be said for the Conservatives winning a clear and comfortable majority. That would be preferable to a narrow Tory victory, not least since the government would not be held to ransom by a handful of recalcitrant backbenchers.

But, as matters stand right now, a comfortable majority looks unlikely. The Tory argument is that a hung parliament is bad because:

  1. An increase in “behind closed door politics” where politicians make deals among themselves;
  2. Indecisive and weak government where parties worried about a second election duck difficult choices;
  3. A paralysed economy that will be bad for sterling and growth;
  4. Another election later this year; because hung parliaments usually collapse in recriminations.

All true! Of course, to some extent, 1,2 and 3 have also been true these past half dozen years anyway.

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