The failure to co-operate

The recent breakdown in co-operation between the coalition partners (BBC, 2012) left the political situation looking a little tense as the parties headed into the parliamentary recess. So far co-operation between the parties of government has moved a number of pieces of legislation through parliament - some controversial like the NHS Bill, some fairly positive such as the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

We have also seen co-operation between other parties on other campaigns. From referendum on AV to debate over Scottish Independence, multiple groups have come together on a number of issues more often than in recent parliaments. It has been an important factor of this parliament that co-operation has taken such a major role on the political scene.

But the cabinet reshuffle (BBC, Sept. 2012) seems suggestive that many in political circles are unhappy with these present conditions - conditions that require co-operation and consensus to move forward. In fact, the Tory right-wing appears to have been reinforced within the cabinet (Wintour & Watt, 2012), which serves to strengthen the representation of a number of conservative viewpoints around the cabinet table - from Euroscepticism to deficit reduction. This can only put more strain upon their Liberal Democrat partners in government.

The signs suggest the continuation of the Con-Lib coalition lasting beyond this parliament is getting ever more unlikely. They also suggest that various groups have hardened themselves against further co-operation. Largely, it seems, in hope for a return to the British majoritarian regimes of old.

The Labour party have, since the election, steered clear of tying themselves too tightly to any campaigns. The Tories have strengthened the presence of their right-wing in the cabinet. With Britain only two and a half years into its first coalition government in over 50 years, the country is very exposed to having a majoritarian relapse.

But it is worth keeping in mind the sentiments that led to a fractured political scene: the disenfranchisement, disaffection and disconnectedness that has  followed that system and which grew unchecked, with increasingly poor voter turnouts; and to consider this before being too willing to jump on the bandwagon once more.

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References:
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+ BBC's 'Nick Clegg: Lords reform plans to be abandoned'; 6 August 2012.

+ BBC's 'Cabinet reshuffle: David Cameron's new line-up'; 4 September 2012.

+ Patrick Wintour & Nicholas Watt's 'David Cameron's right turn in cabinet reshuffle'; in The Guardian; 4 September 2012.