Lib Dem policy and the coalition

An interesting outcome of the coalition negotiations that produced the Cabinet and Ministerial teams across Whitehall is the noticeable absence of Liberal Democrats in a small number of Departments.

In DEFRA, DCMS and the Wales Office there is no LibDem representation at all, which must raise questions over the Party’s ability to retain an independent stance on policy in these areas.

The South West of England is Liberal Democrat heartland territory, and DEFRA plays a significant role in many people’s lives due to the rural agricultural nature of the region’s economy. The Liberal Democrats have to be seen to play a role in this area of policy. Who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for rural affairs?

DCMS controls the budgets for the Olympics and tourism, has regulatory oversight for broadcasting and journalism, among many other areas. The 2012 London Olympics will continue to be controversial due to the huge sums of money and the national prestige at stake. Who is the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for DCMS?

The answer to both questions is that there isn’t one.

The formal coalition that has been hammered means that the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party is bound into Government, regardless of whether they have members in each department. There will be no official spokespeople from the Liberal Democrat side of the house for these departments. As with any Governing party there will be backbenchers who express differing views to the Government, but no LibDem ministers to explain to their peers why a certain policy should be supported or otherwise. They now have no formal role in these areas at all.

Looking further afield, it will be interesting to see whether the LibDems as a party will continue to produce an alternative policy platform to the Conservatives in any areas of Government. It will be very difficult to retain an independently LibDem stance on any issue when they are a full coalition partner. When faced with the prospect of being totally subsumed into the Conservative party with regards policy, I wonder how long LibDem members, activists and their Councillor base will refrain from rocking the coalition boat.