How the Tories and Lib Dems work together in Birmingham
Author: B.B.C. |
As Nick Clegg decides who to pursue a political relationship with in the battle for Number 10, some are asking whether the Lib Dems and the Tories could ever work well together in a co-operative government.
Some argue that the two parties have distinct ideological differences.
But they have worked together successfully for six years in Birmingham, which has the largest council in the UK.
‘Frantic negotiations’
The foundation stone for the imposing Council House which overlooks Victoria Square and dominates Birmingham city centre was laid by one of the great Tory grandees, Joseph Chamberlain.
In 2004 the building was the scene of frantic political negotiations, which allowed his party back into power – but only with the support of the Liberal Democrats.
After ruling the city for more than a decade, Labour had lost its majority.
If the scenario sounds familiar, then what happened next offers evidence that the two parties can work together.
They formed what they call “a progressive partnership”, and together run an authority with nearly 60,000 employees and an annual budget of £3.5bn.
Six cabinet posts and the position of leader were taken by the Conservatives, while the Lib Dems took the position of deputy leader and four cabinet posts.
There is no formal coalition, and both parties field candidates in all of the city’s 40 wards whenever there is an election.
But the political landscape in Birmingham means that in only a handful do the partners realistically offer a direct challenge each other.
Since the hung parliament outcome of election day, the way the city is run has been the focus of intense attention as reporters ask the parties what advice they can offer their national leaders.
‘Nothing grubby’
The Conservative leader of the council, Mike Whitby, said: “Remember that the integrity of the partnership is understood by the electorate.
There’s nothing grubby about coming together, working for the betterment of the party, the betterment of the people.”
His colleague, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader of the city council, Paul Tilsley, said compromise was key.
“Inevitably, there have to be compromises within any relationship, within any political party, and we’ve had to compromise on some issues, but it is in the interest of what is best for a million people in Birmingham.”
A short walk from the council offices it is clear that the business of local government goes on.
The city’s new central library is taking shape, while elsewhere bins are still being emptied and street lights switched on.
In answer to those critics who fear that coalition equals indecision, the authorities in Birmingham point out that they have already made tough economic choices.
Only recently, they announced swingeing cuts of nearly £70m to public services and nearly 2,000 redundancies.
‘Sacrifices’
Councillor Ian Ward, the deputy leader of the city’s Labour group, said it was easier to work in a coalition in local government as the framework was set by central government.
He said “The Conservatives and Lib Dems have worked very hard to make the coalition we have here in Birmingham work.
“They have been determined to make it work as, by 2004, the Conservatives had been out of office in Birmingham for 20 years and were desperate to get back in power, while the Lib Dems knew it was their only opportunity of getting power.”
But he said that, from his perspective, the Lib Dems had made certain policy sacrifices and concessions since gaining power.
He said the Lib Dems had been pushing for localisation and people in the area having more power over the decisions made in their city. But during the past six years, more decisions had been made centrally.