The Politics of Coalition is the tale of two parties embarking on the first coalition government at Westminster for over 60 years. What challenges did they face in the first couple of years & how did they deal with them? With the authorisation of Prime Minister David Cameron Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg & the then Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus ODonnell the Constitution Unit has interviewed over 140 ministers MPs Lords civil servants party officials & interest groups about the Coalition & the impact coalition government has had upon Westminster & Whitehall. The Politics of Coalition tells how the Coalition has operated in the different arenas of the British political system: at the Centre; within the Departments; in Parliament; in the parties outside Parliament; & in the media. It will be of interest to politicians policy makers academics students & anyone interested in how the UK Coalition works in practice & not just in theory. The research for the book was funded by the Nuffield Foundation. An essential resource for anyone with an interest in the Coalition its workings behind the scenes & its prospects for the future. Packed with facts insights & telling detail. Benedict Brogan The Telegraph The Politics of Coalition provides an invaluable route map to the way the Conservative/ Liberal Government works
- & identifies important lessons to guide politicians officials & the media if no party wins an overall majority at the next election. Rt Hon Peter Riddell Director Institute for Government This book is pure gold
- contemporary history at its best. It will fascinate those inside the Coalition those who witness its developing emotional geography from Parliament & the general public keen to know how
- what is for the British
- a very peculiar practice is working out. Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History Queen Mary University of London