Political Games

[andrewducker]

I had a sudden thought - the Conservatives have 47% of the seats - this means that they can't trigger another election without the support of the Lib Dems. Could the 55% rule be there just as much to keep the Lib Dems in power as it is to keep in the Conservatives? Because by-elections could bring the Conservatives+allies to the point where they could dissolve things, but that wouldn't (under the proposed system) allow them to call for another election.

On the other hand, if Labour turned itself around, was willing to form a coalition with LD, PC and SNP, and became a lot more liberal than they have been, then it would be possible for them to call a vote of no confidence and then form a government, without causing a new election to occur.

Have I got something wrong there?

Comments

[coalescent.livejournal.com]

Could the 55% rule be there just as much to keep the Lib Dems in power as it is to keep in the Conservatives?

Yes, word is it was a Lib Dem request.

[matgb]

Someday, I'll get used to being cited as a source for stuff. But not quite yet.

Still, I don't actually need to comment to the post now, which is good, as I'm knackered.

[autopope.livejournal.com]

It keeps both parties to the coalition "honest" wrt. not forcing a snap election for partisan benefit (because they can't).

(See also the more paranoid mutterings about the Tories using the LibDems as a shield while getting their dirty work done, then stabbing them in the back, etcetera. It doesn't work with this rule.)

[drplokta]

50% + 1 would do just as well for that -- it wouldn't need to be 55%. The 55% stops Labour and the LibDems from triggering an election if the coalition falls apart.

[pseudomonas.livejournal.com]

As I understand it it's to stop one party in the coalition (too easily) stabbing the other in the back.

[the-gardener.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, if Labour turned itself around, was willing to form a coalition with LD, PC and SNP

Not remotely likely. The Labour Party is tribalist to the day it dies, which is why it will never (willingly) form a coalition with other parties and thus eventually will die.

[interactiveleaf.livejournal.com]

I came across an article online about the election results that I thought might interest you: Why small parties can punch above their weight.

[andrewducker]

Yup, the Lib Dems hold the balance of power here, with not as much power as they would have, had Labour been willing to deal, but still a fair amount. I'm not entirely sure I approve of that, as it seems anti-democratic. On the other hand, if it means we get better voting, then great :->