Coalition or Minority Government?

[jake-the-peg]

If Cameron doesn't get a clear majority but Brown and Clegg do a deal would the crown ask Cameron to form a minority Government first or go with the coalition first?

Is there a constitutional rule? a precident?

[jno]

I'm not sure but I think the queen starts by asking the leader of the party with the most MPs. It's up to the party leaders themselves to form coalitions, so if Cameron struck a deal with Clegg he would then be able to form a government. If he didn't, but Brown did, then the queen could try Brown. After that I really don't know.

[jake-the-peg]

You'd think so

Thing is if there was a known deal between two minority parties they could immediately bring down the larger party with a vote of no confidence so there'd be no point in it.

It drops the monarch right in the middle of party politics.

Maybe they could all go down Buck house and settle it over a game of Twister - be quite appropriate for politicians

[rov1200]

The fact there is so much convergence between the different parties a small wiining margin may be of benefit. In the past we have seen the see-saw of politics which has cost the country £bns for the switch in policy.

Then we can implement a coalition government and may even give the MP a free vote without upsetting the whips.

[ABerrant]

The power to appoint (and dismiss) the Prime Minister is a Royal Prerogative personally exercised by the Sovereign, although unlikely to be exercised without consultation with the Privy Council.

Queen Elizabeth II last exercised this prerogative in February 1974 with the appointment of Harold Wilson as Prime Minister, despite his party not having a majority in the House of Commons.

[R1Geezer]

this has happenned before what did they do then?

I'd imagine that if a coalition could be formed that had a real majority then then the leader of the largest party in that would be asked to form a goverenement. Can't see it happenning with the Lib dems though as Clegg has already ruled it out. Comeron would probably get the ulster unionists to back him. Not sure whe Brown would do.

[jno]

well, the BNP should certainly be a part of it

http://www.thisislond...p-candidate-claims.do

A naked bid for the female vote

[modeller]

I wouldn't rely on the Lib/Dems not doing a deal with a minority government . They will do a deal if it means getting some power and Brown knows this, that's why he suggesting a change in the voting system.
Just look what happened during the failing Callaghan government when the Unions brought this country to its knees , it was the Lib/Lab pact which kept Labour in power for a further 18 months, during which time the country had to endure the Winter of Discontent. We need a strong goverment , whatever its colour, a coalition would fail and we would have to have another election within 12 months.