The new face(s) of British politics

Coalition government

Coalition government

Britain has a coalition government for the first time since the Second World War.

Tory leader David Cameron has become prime minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg deputy prime minister.

There are only five Lib Dems in Cabinet posts, but the policy document published by the two parties showed the party exerted huge influence in negotiations.

Many Lib Dem policies are now set to reach the statute book although Tory commitments to the economy, immigration and Europe took precedence over those of their new partners in government.