Coaltion Tensions : Collective Responsibility

If there is government by one party, it makes for good order and is in our tradition, for the principle of collective responsibility to apply. It is debatable in a modern world whether tensions known to media correspondents and lobbyists, should be held secret within the Westminster village and not shared with the public, to whom the politicians are accountable. For the purpose of this post I will raise the issue only and let it pass.

What is clear is that Coalition government is different. If there are two parties (or more) it is very difficult for those parties (and those who elected them) to behave contrary to their principles without appearing dishonest and untrustworthy. This is why there has been such a crisis in the Lib Dem party over tuition fees. It is therefore important to make some changes in the  way we view such a government and in the way it presents itself to us.

If we prefer government by politicians of different parties getting together and forming a consensus, we must view them not as one government full stop, but as one government made of two parties who agree on some things, disagree on others and which are driven by differing ideals. So that we, the people, can fathom why certain policies develop in unexpected ways, it is necessary for each party to brief us separately, as well as the government to do so as a whole.

Currently the Prime Minister, or other Ministers, give regular  press conferences. At least once a month David Cameron, not as Prime Minister but as Leader of the Conservative Party, flanked by its senior figures, should give a  briefing of how they are  arriving at a joint position with their coalition partners on controversial issues. Likewise Clegg, Cable and Co should do the same. There will then be less opportunity for entrapment and the mists surrounding some peculiar decisions will clear. It may not be such a smooth government, but it could be a good deal more effective.  

There is still in Whitehall and Westminster a culture which supposes the roof will fall in if the people are allowed to know. This may once have been true. It is no longer. Most people appear to be a good deal more savvy and better informed than both the ministers and the mandarins. You cannot govern in today’s world of Internet empowerment with a system based upon Victorian telegrams.

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