How to sell the coalition
By Ned Simons - 10th December 2010
This week's farcical political manoeuvrings over the tuition fees vote have exposed the underlying contradiction at the heart of how Nick Clegg sells the coalition.
On argument for coalition frequently deployed by the deputy PM is that "two heads are better than one". This is used to demonstrate the virtue of coalitions as a concept, that the policies of two or more parties are greater than the sum or their parts.
The other explanation of coalition is one of compromise, that the coalition is necessary but not ideal.
And Clegg has frequently reminded his activists that they did not win the election outright and so can not implement a 100 per cent Lib Dem agenda.
The party was always going to get crucified for backtracking on their pledge to not raise tuition fees.
But having decided it was not a promise that would keep them out of coalition with the Conservatives there were two ways for Clegg to sell the U-turn.
One was to admit that it was not ideal but explain that the party was the junior party in a coalition and could not have everything it wanted. An unfortunate but necessary compromise.
The other was to claim the policy as their own and trumpet its progressive credentials. The two heads approach.
Unfortunately he tried to do both, a confused position that was reflected in the votes of the three senior members of the party.
Clegg, the leader, voted in favour, its deputy leader Simon Hughes abstained and its president Tim Farron voted against.
The government may have two heads, but after yesterday the Lib Dems have three. One nodding in agreement with the coalition, one shaking side to side in defiance and one staring straight ahead unsure which way to look.
If the Lib Dem leadership want to avoid constantly confusing the public and their own MPs they should settle on one story of what the coalition is.
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