Withholding judgement

[andrewducker]

I'm waiting to see what the Lib Dems and Conservatives have agreed.

If they have managed to get the bottom end of Income Tax raised to £10,000 through, prevented the rise in Inheritance Tax exemptions, and stopped the ridiculous marriage giveaway then that's a good start. If they can get a referendum on voting reform in, then I'll actually be happy.

The Lib Dems were never going to get a majority. And that means working with one of the other parties in order to get some of what they wanted. Labour were refusing to negotiate (last rumour I heard was that ID cards were a major sticking point), so if they can get what they want out of the Tories then I'm right behind them.

The Tories cannot pass _anything_ without Lib-Dem backing. I'm hoping that this takes the worst edges off of them. If it doesn't - if they just back the Tories irrespectively and don't get electoral reform, then they deserve to go down in flames.

Now to wait for the details...

(Some stuff here, and Robert Peston's take here)

Comments

[andrewducker]

If nothing else, I'd like to see a parliament where there has to be a negotiation between parties - where compromise is necessary. I'm fed up with "strong governments" which can just run roughshod over anything they feel like. I want a balanced government, which reflects a spectrum of opinions.

[iainjcoleman.livejournal.com]

It's right to withhold judgement until the details are made public. I am, however, cheered by this report from Michael Crick:

The clincher for me though was a Lib Dem MP who is pretty sympathetic to Labour telling me this morning that a deal with the Conservatives was the only viable option.

"I can't believe how much they've offered us," he said. "The Tories have basically rubbed out their manifesto and inserted ours. We'll have to cope for four or five years with our flesh creeping, but still."

Heartening stuff, only slightly diminished by the certain knowledge that Michael Crick is a twat.

[andrewhickey.livejournal.com]

Agreed with every word.
Incidentally, looks like all the policies you name will be implemented...

[star-tourmaline.livejournal.com]

I think I agree with this. But have posted, more on the emotional side of assimilating an experience like this.

[ayia.livejournal.com]

Interesting; I didnt realise that Lib Dems had to agree with everything before it gets passed... this must be a good thing. Also glad to see they are getting rid of the marriage incentive. Personally I am all for the inheritance tax threshold being up'd; after all the value of houses has increased dramatically in recent years - my view is why should someone have to be forced sell a house they were left from their parents just to pay more tax when no doubt the deceased has been paying tax all their lives? Its an extortiante amount too - like 40%. Be interesting to see what they come up with re the loopholes in rich folk getting away with paying no income tax tho!

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

The Guardian's live blog has a full list. On the ones you mentioned

£10,000 is an 'aspiration' -- but with immediate steps towards it followed by annual steps -- not suprising given fiscal position;
rise in inheritance tax limits is scrapped;
Lib Dems are allowed to abstain on marriage allowance (but note that they're not allowed to vote against, and abstention won't do to stop it -- Cameron & crew must really have wanted this one)

You may assume that anything in the new 'mini-manifesto' will be on a 3 line whip for both parties.

[heron61.livejournal.com]

But my strong sense is that both sides are up for giving it a go - in the "national interest", according to my sources, and not simply to taste the elixir of elected office.

I've read enough about Cameron that I have difficulty believing that Preston could write that statement with a straight face. With luck, the Libs will keep the Tories from too much vileness. Your nation has my sympathies.

[missedith01.livejournal.com]

Lib Dems don't have to agree everything, only those changes requiring primary legislation. Most things don't as they're achieved through the Secretary of State in the relevant department having been previously enabled to act without consulting Parliament.

[marrog.livejournal.com]

I guess refusing to back down on scrapping ID cards is one of the very few things I could forgive them for.