THE UNITED Kingdom’s 52nd prime minister, and its youngest since 1812, David Cameron, solemnly spoke yesterday of his new coalition government’s firm “common purpose” in the face of what he repeatedly called the difficult political, economic and social challenges ahead. His deputy, our Tánaiste, Liberal Democrat Nick Clegg insisted that “this is a government that will last”. Holding what the toughest hand of cards ever dealt a new prime minister, there was a sense that both men were not just trying to convince the country of the viability and longevity of their five-year pact, but themselves too. These are remarable times for them.
A measure of their difficulty in producing a coalition deal that could be sold to backbenchers and party activists were the provisions of the agreement published yesterday which will allow Tories to campaign against voting reform as long as they support a referendum, while Lib Dems speak and abstain on votes to expand nuclear power, replace the Trident nuclear deterrent, university fees, and Tory plans for tax allowances to reward marriage and civil partnerships. It seems as if this coalition partnership is an open marriage.
The deal done did indeed involve substantial concessions on both sides, not least the Lib Dems’ willingness to stomach the controversial £6 billion in spending cuts that Mr Cameron will push through within months and both a cap on non-EU immigrant numbers and the rejection of an amnesty for illegal immigrants. The Tories’ middle-class base will rage at the abandonment of inheritance tax cuts in favour of tax breaks for the low-paid.
In terms of policy and governing challenges the new government has a mountain to climb, and politically both parties are likely to find that the willingness of supporters to give their leaders the benefit of the doubt and considerable leeway may not last long. But the certain knowledge that the public wants its government to act in the national interest will concentrate minds and will provide a badly needed glue.
In truth the coalition is a far better outcome for the UK – both in terms of stability and in its more centrist political line – than the alternative of a precarious minority Tory government or a Labour coalition seeking outside support from many different interests. This government was dictated by the numbers.
From an Irish perspective, the new government is unlikely to alarm – continuity on the key bilateral issue, the North, is likely to be maintained with both governments marching in step. New Northern Secretary Owen Paterson is well-known in Dublin which he has visited regularly.
There may, however, be some nervousness in Iveagh House over Europe and the commitment to a referendum on any transfer of powers to the EU. Although the Tories have accepted they will now not be able to undo the Lisbon Treaty, the worry is that any referendum is almost certain to be lost.
As we look on from the sidelines, after 21 years of coalition government, there are things that some people could teach them about how to make it all work.