Over the past two years the Institute for Government has examined the challenges of coalition government in the UK. To mark two years of the coalition we've collated all of this research in one place:
Blogs
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, where next? Relaunching the coalition government
Akash Paun, 8 May 2012
It’s relaunch week. Tuesday’s joint appearance by the prime minister and his deputy marking two years of the coalition and Wednesday’s Queen’s Speech are designed to seize back the political agenda. But what is likely to be accomplished by these renewal initiatives?
Special Treatment? Why the coalition is appointing more special advisers
Akash Paun,18 October 2011
The coalition came to power pledging to cut the number of special advisers (spads), but now employs more spads than did the last Labour government. What explains this u-turn?
How 'inevitable' was the Con-Lib Dem Coalition?
Peter Riddell, 30 November 2010
The formation of the Conservative / Liberal Democrat coalition now looks inevitable, as decisive political events often do in restrospect.
Why Cameron and Clegg need to reflect on the working of the coalition
Peter Riddell, 16 September 2010
Coalitions involve wholly new ways of governing. Most other European countries understand that, as do the Scots and Welsh. But the adjustment in Whitehall among both ministers and official is still not complete.
Is coalition government here to stay?
Akash Paun, 21 July 2010
Regardless of how long the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition lasts, long-term trends suggest that hung parliaments and coalitions are likely to become more common in future. In other words, the 2010 election result was almost certainly no fluke. So some thought is needed about how the political system needs to adapt to make a success of multi-party government.
Publications
One Year On: The first year of coalition government
Akash Paun
This report pulls together our collective analysis of how the Coalition has performed so far, what lessons have been learnt about how to govern in coalition, and what are the most critical challenges on the horizon.
United we stand: Coalition government in the UK
Akash Paun
The UK is governed by a coalition with a dual leadership. The systems supporting this have had to adapt quickly. Many important changes to the process of government have already occurred. But more change is needed to ensure it can function effectively as it negotiates the difficult hurdles ahead.
Transitions: Lessons Learned
Catherine Haddon and Peter Riddell
The report covers the long run-up to the 2010 election, the unexpected dramas of the Coalition negotiations in 'the five days in May', and the aftermath as the new ministers adapted to the challenges of office.
Making minority government work
Dr Catherine Haddon, Prof Robert Hazell, Akash Paun, Mark Chalmers, Ben Yong
This report is about how to make minority government work. It summarises the recent experience in Canada, New Zealand and Scotland, and the historical experience at Westminster. It then draws out lessons for all the main actors.