I despair trying to explain to people how coalitions work and today I came pretty close to throwing in the towel altogether. According to the Liberal Democrat blogging site LibDemVoice, someone has apparently put forward the suggestion that Nick & Dave should address each other's party conferences.
Eh?!
Partners in a coalition coalesce – “coalesce, v., to mix together different elements”, note: DIFFERENT elements. I might marry some dubious dude but that doesn’t instantly morph me into a man. Parties that coalesce don’t become each other. So why on earth one political party would want to invite someone from a different political party to an internal political conference is beyond me. The fact that it’s even contemplated in the first place indicates that the contemplaters just don’t get it.
As a good card-carrying Social Liberal Democrat it’s enough of a test of strength to find myself in the same bedroom as Dave, and only just bearable due to the twin bed arrangement.
On a more serious note, there’s too much of a general whiff of the Tories being the ‘superior’ partners in this deal. They are no such thing. The Liberal Democrats can leave the playground anytime they like.
And no ‘yes buts…’ please. They can, end of.
When will the Brits get the hang of this and how can they best be educated in modern parliamentary practice?
Answers on a postcard please.
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