Cameron 'will try to cling to power even if coalition loses majority'

[brooklynite]

Source: The Guardian

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are now entirely focused on how they can cling on to power even if their coalition government loses its Commons majority, Labour officials have claimed.

The polls are consistently indicating a hung parliament, with the Tories gaining slightly more seats than Labour but the Liberal Democrats losing so many that a combined Tory-Lib Dem coalition would not get a majority in the Commons.

There are now reports that Cameron will in this scenario insist on staying on in Downing Street regardless of his ability to pass laws in the Commons, rather than allow Labour a chance to form a government – leading to a constitutional gridlock.

A senior Labour official said: “All the noise coming out of the mouths of David Cameron and Nick Clegg is about how they can cling on to power even if their coalition loses its majority.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/04/cameron-to-cling-onto-power-coalition-majority-lib-dem-tories

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Historically, Parliament could be dissolved by a vote of no confidence, so a majority Party or coalition was necessary. The new FIXED TERM PARLIAMENTS ACT may allow Cameron to try to run a minority Government.

[hrmjustin]

1. Thursday is going to be fun to watch.

[Dawson Leery]

2. If the Lib Dems get in bed with the right wing DU of North Ireland,

I would consider the party worthy of elimination.

[rurallib]

4. I wonder how Nick Clegg or any Lib-Dem can show their face in public

after signing on with Cameron in the first place. What a bunch of power grabbing whores.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

6. Lib Dems are useless

[Nihil]

11. +1 on that ...

> What a bunch of power grabbing whores.

[T_i_B]

10. They've ruled out hitching up with UKIP

But beyond that they aren't fussy at all. All that seems to matter to the Lib Dems is that Nick Clegg keeps his cushy job and salary.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. The new act still allows a parliament to be dissolved by a vote of no confidence

What it changed is that the government itself cannot call a snap election without a supermajority of two-thirds agreeing.

Section 2 of the Act also provides for two ways in which a general election can be held before the end of this five-year period:

If the House of Commons resolves "That this House has no confidence in Her Majesty's Government", an early general election is held, unless the House of Commons subsequently resolves "That this House has confidence in Her Majesty's Government". This second resolution must be made within fourteen days of the first.

If the House of Commons, with the support of two-thirds of its total membership (including vacant seats), resolves "That there shall be an early parliamentary general election".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed-term_Parliaments_Act_2011

The fourteen days is to give time for a different government to be formed by a new coalition (or with a different PM) if that is feasible.

[iandhr]

5. And Milliband to try some similar coalition jockeying if Labour gets fewer seats.

Politicians who run for office want to be in or stay power.


What The Guardian is saying is water is wet.


If only the SNP wasn't a factor

[Gumboot]

7. All I want on Thursday...

... is every single old Etonian removed from Westminster.

A tall order I know, but this jaded expat can still dream.

I'm really hoping The Greens will do well enough to make a difference.

[T_i_B]

9. They might hold on in Brighton

But beyond that, I wouldn't expect Greens to be wining any seats, although they could finish 2nd or 3rd in a few places. I have noticed quite a few Green party posters and lawn signs in Sheffield for instance.

[roamer65]

8. I predict a Labour-SNP coalition government.

The SNP is ideologically close to Labour and Nicola Sturgeon has already said the SNP will do what it can to ensure the Cons don't stay in power.

Britain just may see the most meaningful Parliament since Clement Attlee under a Labour-SNP coalition govt.

[Nihil]

12. "meaningful"? Really? Are you sure you didn't mean "meaningless"?

The combination of the usual Labour whores and some power-hungry Scot is not going to make
any more sense than when the Lib Dems turned traitor and sold out to the Tories.

Bring back Guy Fawkes - the only man ever to enter parliament with honest intentions.