It Takes Two to Tango

Abstract

British politics has traditionally been identified as a two-party political system throughout the post-war period. Single parties have formed governments in the United Kingdom, with the two major parties squeezing out any third-party challenger. The year 2010 was an anomaly. The result of the general election proved inconclusive, ending in a hung parliament. For the first time in over 60 years, coalition negotiations took place between the three main parties, and the Con-Dem coalition was agreed to. This coalition pushed forward constitutional changes relating to the timing of elections and proposed reforming the electoral system. The coalition endured for its full five-year term, although its effects were short-term. The subsequent conservative government reneged on its previous support for constitutional changes. This chapter focuses on the challenges of coalition politics in a British context.