Tory-Lib Dem Coalition - Unified Policy, Disunited Politics

The new British government with David Cameron as PM and Nick Clegg as deputy promises to revolutionize many aspects of British policy. Starting with the economy, the coalition will start immediate budget cuts to reduce Britain's bloated deficit. It certainly is laudable, although the substantial cuts may dent Britain's fragile recovery. The proposed banking and tax proposals underscored the areas where the two parties agree. On immigration and relations with Europe, the Tories won and will implement stronger controls and more distancing from the EU. On the other hand, the Lib Dems won concessions on education and political reform. Clegg, in fact, will be heading efforts for constitutional reform. Overall, I think both parties got much from compromising on the new government's policy. I had expected the policy disagreements to last much longer.

Nonetheless, the new government remains politically brittle. Many Conservatives remain unhappy with Cameron's election campaign and some of the compromises he had to give to the Liberal Democrats. Likewise, Clegg faces some discontent among his supporters, many of whom find an alliance with the Tories unsavoury. New rules are in place to keep the coalition together through potential political crises but I have many doubts on how long it will last. Five years, supposedly but could well be fewer. Lest we forget, Labour will form a vocal and still strong opposition with both Houses. Maybe the ghost of Gordon Brown will still have its comeuppance.