³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Commentators look at the challenges ahead for the coalition.

that rivalry between Nick Clegg and David Cameron will never be as bad as other intra-party competition:

"The Cameron-Clegg bromance cannot possibly last at its present intensity. But I doubt that the TB-GBs of the Blair Brown years will ever be matched in scale, bitterness or frequency of outburst by the inevitable NC-DCs. Indeed, that was the whole point of the way in which the Lib Con administration was launched in the Rose Garden on Wednesday - or Orange Wednesday, as it will surely become known to historians of the Liberal Democrat party.
Ìý
"There could be no more powerful way to mark the end of an era dominated by the implacable rivalry between two men. The mutual loathing of Tony and Gordon poisoned politics and policy for more than a decade. Whatever else you think of the coalition, admit that the warmth between Nick and Dave is an improvement."

that Lib Dems demonstrating against the coalition at this weekend's conference don't know how lucky they are:

"Over the weekend, however, one feature of British life resurfaced that is as predictable as the flowering buds of May - the deep aversion in the Lib Dem psyche to reality. True to form, assorted Lib Dem grandees and others came out against the coalition - on the grounds they couldn't stomach an alliance with 'unprogressive' Conservatives. So blinded are they by their tribal antipathy to the Tories, these Lib Dems can't see just how advantageous this deal is for them.
Ìý
"Even though three-quarters of the country didn't vote for them, this party of traditional losers has no fewer than five Cabinet seats."

Political blogger that ex-Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy's abstention may be linked to his resignation in 2006:

"[I]n the days after Cameron's elevation all the focus was on Kennedy with suggestions that the Lib Dem leader did not have the charisma of the new Tory and then Labour leader, Tony Blair.
Ìý
"It wasn't long before the rumblings within his party started and the betting opened on who was going to replace him. By the end of the month Kennedy felt bound to issue a statement saying that he was staying and none of his party critics were prepared to go public.
Ìý
"A week later, however, he was gone after senior colleagues forced the issue of his drinking.
Ìý
"Maybe this puts his current position into context?"

that Charles Kennedy speaks for many Lib Dems:

"But Charlie Kennedy speaks for a lot of Lib Dems in suggesting this marriage of convenience goes against everything every Lib Dem leader since Jo Grimond has stood for in working for a realignment of the left.
Ìý
"And once Parliament is back, just wait for the noise of the Tories once they spot a bit too much Cleggery on Europe, let alone this 55 per cent unconstitutional stitch up."

when comparing the Lib Dem and Tory methods of dealing with their party members since the coalition:

"On a number of occasions Clegg met his MPs and party officers in a bid to hear their views and explain what he was doing. Today's ratification of the deal will help bind the party into the fascinating Cameron-Clegg experiment.
Ìý
"What a contrast with the Conservative Party where there has been next to no consultation of the party membership. Coming on top of Team Cameron's various attempts to dilute Tory members' role in membership selection it is all very disappointing."

to draw on the Fox-North coalition of 1783 for political lessons:

"Fox himself provides a much better one in his Commons speech defending the coalition: 'If men of honour can meet on points of general national concern, I see no reason for calling such a meeting an unnatural junction. It is neither wise nor noble to keep up animosities for ever.'...
Ìý
"[C]ritics of the present coalition should note [Charles Fox's] words. The Cameron-Clegg pact is not an unprincipled combination but a remarkable - because it was unexpected - recognition of the fact that the British obsession with party purity can make for bad government and unattractive politics."

On ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4's Westminster Hour Michael Cockerell says [13 minutes in] he expects the strain in the coalition will show if war with Iran is debated:

"If there were a move to attack or bomb Iran supported by the rather hawkish Liam Fox, who's the defence secretary, with the Liberal Democrats, who were against the war in Iraq after all, that will be the tester."