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It seems to me that the coalition has two parts. First, the leadership's agreements and handshakes and back-slapping and press conferences with smiling faces and carefully worded press releases. Second the actual floor votes on any particular bill.

The first is the public face of the coalition, but the second is what actually counts. It doesn't matter what Cameron or Clegg or anybody else says unless they can actually deliver the votes.

So I would say that the coalition has already collapsed, but as in the case of the Titanic, it may take the people in charge some time to realize it.

by asdf on Mon Jul 16th, 2012 at 10:07:23 AM EST
good way of teasing it apart.

Right now, the leaders would contend that this has been a single vote over a contentious issue that can be fixed. ie keep calm and carry on.

Reality intrudes and points out these two Constitutional changes were the last items on the agreed list and that the two parties do not have an agreed agenda, or even items they might agree upon to form an agenda for the government's future legislative programme.

So, the coalition has collapsed, but whether there will be a formal point where Nick clegg says "we are crossing to the opposition benches and will vote against you from here on" is another thing. Right now I imagine that could well be discussed at the party conference in september, but till then we have a parliamentary recess during which who knows what fun might ensue.

keep to the Fen Causeway

by Helen (lareinagal at yahoo dot co dot uk) on Mon Jul 16th, 2012 at 11:04:47 AM EST
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