What happens if no-one can form a co-alition?

[simmo]

The only mathematically solid looking co-alition is the Con/Lib and that looks very shaky for idelogical reasons and the Lib/Lab pact the maths doesn't add up to enough.

So what happens if no-one can form a co-alition? I presume another election, but whom calls it as there is no government?

 

[Chicken Run]

I think the Queen.

 

[sten_super]

The Tories would rule as a minority government. However they'd find it very hard to get anything vaguely controversial through, as Labour and Lib Dems could block vote against it and the Tories would have to woo all of the minor parties/independents to try to get it passed.

edit to add: However first of all Gordon Brown would have to resign and Labour admit that they cannot govern. I suspect he'd go, but if he was dragging his heels ultimately the Queen would have a quiet word.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

The only mathematically solid looking co-alition is the Con/Lib and that looks very shaky for idelogical reasons and the Lib/Lab pact the maths doesn't add up to enough.

So what happens if no-one can form a co-alition? I presume another election, but whom calls it as there is no government?

But there is a government and a PM. They stay in place until all the wheeling and dealing is complete or fails. If it fails I guess it is the PM that is forced to hold another election.

 

[CHAPPERS]

What is a 'co-alition'?

 

[Don Quixote]

The Queen should have no say in this. There should be a president so this would never happen. This is an outrage of epic proportions. Cameron will have to rule with a minority government with labour helping them out. It might be possible.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The only mathematically solid looking co-alition is the Con/Lib and that looks very shaky for idelogical reasons and the Lib/Lab pact the maths doesn't add up to enough.

So what happens if no-one can form a co-alition? I presume another election, but whom calls it as there is no government?

The Scottish Parliament and the London Assembly work quite well without the parties forming formal coalitions. A Tory minority government might work.

But don't rule out an informal understanding between Labour, LibDems, SNP, Plaid Cymru, the SDLP, the Green Party and Northern Ireland's Alliance Party. They could combine to outvote any particular Tory measure that they collectively didn't like.

I don't think the electorate would tolerate another election without electoral reform.

 

[sten_super]

The Queen should have no say in this. There should be a president so this would never happen. This is an outrage of epic proportions. Cameron will have to rule with a minority government with labour helping them out. It might be possible.

??

err, the Queen is the head of state. Parliament rules in her stead, because she gives them the power to do so.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

But there is a government and a PM. They stay in place until all the wheeling and dealing is complete or fails.

Indeed. Darling is off to represent the UK at a big meeting of European governments today to discuss the Greek crisis.

 

[Tricky Dicky]

The Queen should have no say in this. There should be a president so this would never happen. This is an outrage of epic proportions. Cameron will have to rule with a minority government with labour helping them out. It might be possible.

"Should" doesn't come into it. She HAS (rightly or wrongly)

 

[Lord Bracknell]

??

err, the Queen is the head of state. Parliament rules in her stead, because she gives them the power to do so.

No.

It's because parliament took the power on behalf of the people and limited the power of the monarch. If the monarch doesn't like it, we chop his head off.

 

[simmo]

The Queen should have no say in this. There should be a president so this would never happen. This is an outrage of epic proportions. Cameron will have to rule with a minority government with labour helping them out. It might be possible.

Doesn't the Queen have to ask Cameron if he can form a government? And can he if he doesn't have enough seats (without the Lib Dems)?

 

[sten_super]

No.

It's because parliament took the power on behalf of the people and limited the power of the monarch. If the monarch doesn't like it, we chop his head off.

Fair. I've actually bothered to read up on it now. Nonetheless, the constitutional monarchy of this country hold substantial reserve powers which can be exercised if required. She is effectively the chief executive of the UK.

 

[Return of the Rev]

National socialist

The only mathematically solid looking co-alition is the Con/Lib and that looks very shaky for idelogical reasons and the Lib/Lab pact the maths doesn't add up to enough.

So what happens if no-one can form a co-alition? I presume another election, but whom calls it as there is no government?

WORLD WAR 2 I THINK

 

[Guy Fawkes]

The largest party - in this case the Conservatives - does not automatically have the right to try and form an administration. That right falls to Gordon Brown as the incumbent Prime Minister.

There is no formal deadline for when an administration must be formed but a key date is 25 May, when the Queen's Speech is due to set out the government's priorities during the Parliament. Negotiations to form a government in a hung Parliament could take between a week and 10 days.

If no agreement can be reached between parties and no government was unable to command enough support to get the Queen's Speech through Parliament there would be a need for a second election.

Some economists fear that a hung Parliament could affect Britain's economic recovery if the financial markets lose faith in a British government's ability to be decisive. This could impact upon the country's credit rating. David Cameron has previously warned that a hung Parliament can lead to politicians being able to endlessly "haggle and bicker and scheme" delaying decision-making and leading to paralysis.

What is a hung Parliament? - Telegraph

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

I'll come back and take over. I'll sort the lot of 'em out.

Be afraid. Be very afraid

 

[simmo]

Unless the Cons and Libs can somehow do a deal then as it stands with 2 seats to declare the scores on the co-alition doors are Lib/Lab 315 (258+57) v Con/Unionist 314 (305+9).

Another election really looks on the cards unless Cameron and Clegg can cobble something together.

 

[beorhthelm]

with no majority, lower number and seats *and* no coalition in place, the postion of Brown is untenable and he will have to resign, recommending Cameron as the best placed to hold the confidence of the parliament. If Brown tries to stay on and faces a vote of no confidence, such as would be likly if he doesnt have the Liberals backing and the first Queens Speech is not passed, the Queen would then request he step down.

 

[simmo]

Unless the Cons and Libs can somehow do a deal then as it stands with 2 seats to declare the scores on the co-alition doors are Lib/Lab 315 (258+57) v Con/Unionist 314 (305+9).

Another election really looks on the cards unless Cameron and Clegg can cobble something together.

And what do you know the Tories won the last one (the other one someone died and it has been suspended and won't be fought today).

So Lib/Lab is 315 v Con/Unionist is 315.

Second election in a few months time here we come

 

[Badger]

WORLD WAR 2 I THINK

I think there was some event between 1939 and 1945 (or 1941-1945 if you're american) that has already taken that name