Blog

The beginning of a volatile year in British politics

For all the election enthusiasts across the globe, the general elections of Britain were excitingly engaging. Like most general elections (in any democracy), the results of this too were on expected lines but with surprises attached.

The fall of the Labour party and its leader Gordon Brown was on expected lines. So was the rise of the conservatives (Tories). The surprising part was the result of the Liberal Democrats. Be that an experienced political analyst or the ordinary reporter, none of them expected that the lib dems, under the charismatic leadership of Nick Cleggs, would end up with so few seats. Furthermore, noone expected that they would end up losing the seats which they were supposed to retain - an angle which was not even part of the hypothetical debates in newsrooms or anywhere else because everyone was so sure about it.

The results which have thrown away the broken mandate led to a week of endless negotiations between the Labour party, Tories and Lib Dems. Gordon Brown, against whom  the electroral mandate was, ignored the public sentiments and tried to forge a deal with the Lib Dems in the name of country stability and the constitution.

Conservatives too, having emerged as the largest party, tried their best to woo the Lib Dems for the formation of the government. The Man of the Moment (despite his loss of seats), Nick Cleggs, was busy weighing all the political pros and cons and finally, after a week of intense delibration and negotiations with both Labour & Tories, decided to shake his hands with Cameron by accepting the ministerial portfolios for his colleagues and Deputy Prime Ministership for himself. All in the name of stability and saving the country from further financial ruin.

Desperate situations demand desperate measures, hence this fragile economic situation, which led to a fractured electorate mandate, has given way to a unique coalition of the Right and Left wing and is rare in political history.

Now the question on everyone's minds is how long this newly formed coalition goverment will survive. In a democratic electoral system, the coalition goverment is becoming a norm. India is one of the best examples of such a case.Yet, to carry the coalition forward to its full term, and successfully so , one needs to atleast have ideological similarities. There is a complete lack of that in case of the Tories and Lib Dems. They are just two different parties with two very different political principles. The complex electoral situation has united them and to form the goverment they have agreed, in principle, to some common concern but will it be sustainable?

For both Tories and Lib Dems, there is going to be a lot of backlash from within the party which Cameron and Cleggs will find difficult to manage. Another round of elections in the near future would be beneficial for the Tories and Cameron is smart enough a politician to understand this.

More By  :  Najam Gilani

  • Views: 2529
  • Comments: 0





Name *
Email ID
 (will not be published)
Comment
Verification Code*

Can't read? Reload

Please fill the above code for verification.