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ID: 096259

Hung parliaments and the challenges for Westminster and Whiteha: how to make minority and multiparty governance work (with Commentaries by Turnbull, Beith, Evans and Crick) / Paun, Akash; Hazell, Robert; Turnbull, Andrew; Beith, Alan

Paun, Akash	Journal Article
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Publication

2010.

Summary/Abstract

The return of a hung parliament at the 2010 general election is a serious possibility. But due to Westminster's limited recent experience of parliaments under 'no overall control' there is little institutional memory in Whitehall or Westminster, and even less public understanding, of what the implications would be. This article sets out to analyse the principal challenges that would be faced by government, opposition, parliament and the media in the event of a hung parliament. Drawing on experience from Canada, New Zealand and Scotland, we discuss the difficulties that may arise during the immediate government formation process and in the course of making minority or multiparty governance work on an ongoing basis. We conclude that a hung parliament need not undermine political stability or effective governance, but that all actors would need to adapt their behaviour and should therefore prepare carefully for this eventuality.

Key Words

Whitehall ; Westminster ; Coalition ; Hung Parliament ; Minority Government

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ID: 105870

United we stand: governance challenges for the United Kingdom coalition / Paun, Akash

Paun, Akash	Journal Article
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Publication

2011.

Summary/Abstract

Coalition government is an unfamiliar experience for Whitehall and Westminster. All actors are still adapting to the rules of this new political game. A number of governance challenges confront the United Kingdom's Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition. It must strike a balance between the visions of two distinct parties and blend these into a coherent strategy for government. Like any government, it will expect to resolve most differences internally and then to show a united face to the world. Effective consultation and dispute-resolution processes within the executive will therefore be at a premium. But the separate political identities of the two parties also need to be preserved, and sufficient resources must be provided to each side within the government to enable this to happen. This article assesses the response of the coalition to these challenges in its first six months and draws lessons from relevant international experience.

Key Words

Civil Service ; Coalition Government ; Whitehall ; Westminster ; Hung Parliament ; Multi-party Governance

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