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Debate on 20 January: Constitutional and Parliamentary Effect of Coalition Government

This Note examines some of the issues surrounding government by coalition, particularly those highlighted since the formation of the current Coalition in May 2010. It considers constitutional issues that arose before and immediately after the 2010 general election, then sets out the administrative arrangements put in place to allow the Coalition Cabinet and machinery of government to function. It examines issues that have both constitutional and parliamentary significance (fixed term parliaments, the Salisbury Doctrine, government majority in the House of Lords) and, finally, deals with practical parliamentary matters such as Short/Cranborne money, seating arrangements, and parliamentary procedure and language.