Clegg To Be Deputy PM

George Osborne will be Chancellor but Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg will be Deputy Prime Minister in the new-look Cabinet, Sky sources say.

Following Gordon Brown's resignation as prime minister and his own succession to the role, Tory leader David Cameron revealed a deal for a full coalition with the Lib Dems had been struck to end 13 years of New Labour rule.

Sky News political editor Adam Boulton said he understood that George Osborne would get the job of Chancellor, despite speculation that Lib Dem treasury spokesman Vince Cable would be given the job.

"My understanding is that there is a written agreement between the two parties that outlines their roles and responsibilities," he said.

Continues: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/General-Election-2010-Details-Of-How-The-New-Tory-And-Liberal-Democrat-Government-Will-Work/Article/201005215630008?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_3&lid=ARTICLE_15630008_General_Election_2010:_Details_Of_How_The_New_Tory_And_Liberal_Democrat_Government_Will_Work

Sky and the BBC are now saying the Lib Dems will have 5 cabinet minsters and it'll be a 5 year parliament.

not a surprise.

I must say I was surprised to hear that.

I'm not entirely surprised by the elected Lords - I think the Tories had said 'mostly elected' in their manifesto, hadn't they? It gives them a tick in the 'political reform' box without giving up single seat constituencies.

The devil may well be in the details; voting mechanisms, the potential for some non-elected members &c. may well slow progress.

Personally I'm not that happy on a reform like the actual constitution of Parliament itself being decided except on a fully cross-partisan basis.

Could be worse - Fox is a nutter, but Clarke and May are more moderate.

Prediction: in the Lord Chancellor robes, Clarke will look like the baby eating bishop of Bath and Wells:

http://biblioblogtop50.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net:8080/2010/01/baby-eating_bishop_of_bath_and_wells.jpg

Will either of the two stand down their candidate in favour of the other in order to defeat the Labour/SNP/Plaid candidate?

the Parties will continue to compete against each other electorally.

Zac Goldsmith has provided the first "scandal".

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/7706077/Zac-Goldsmith-faces-multi-million-pound-divorce-payout-after-admitting-adultery.html

"The BBC understands that the delayed election in Thirsk and Malton, North Yorkshire - postponed after the death of the UKIP candidate - will be contested by the Liberal Democrats. It means that the new coalition government will field two candidates against each other."
From their live update page: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/liveevent/

So I guess that will apply to by-elections too.