Assessing the durability of the Conservative minority government

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Series Details 31.07.17
Publication Date 31/07/2017
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Background
The United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May announced on the 18 April 2017 that her Government had agreed to call a general election to be held on the 8 June 2017. She justified the unexpected move in the context of stengthening her mandate and legitimacy in the forthcoming negotiations for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

In the event the governing Conservative Party did worse than had been expected. The Conservative Party won 317 seats - 9 short of an overall majority (this did not include the Speaker, John Bercow). The Labour Party won 261 seats.

Incumbent Prime Minister Theresa May said she would put together a government with the support of the Democratic Unionists (DUP) from Northern Ireland. 'A government that can provide certainty and lead Britain forward at this critical time for our country.

'This government will guide the country through the crucial Brexit talks that begin in just 10 days, and deliver on the will of the British people by taking the United Kingdom out of the European Union'.

On the 26 June 2017 a Confidence and Supply Agreement was announced between the Conservative and Unionist Party and the (Northern Ireland) Democratic Unionist Party. This meant that the DUP would support the Conservative minority government on votes on the Queen’s Speech, the Budget, and legislation relating to Brexit and national security.

Further information about IfG
The Institute for Government is an independent charity in the United Kingdom working to increase government effectiveness.

It works with all the main political parties at Westminster and with senior civil servants in Whitehall. It provides evidence based advice that draws on best practice from around the world.

The Institute for Government is a registered charity in England and Wales (Registered Charity No.1123926).

The charitable objectives of the Institute are:

+ The advancement of education in the art and science of government in the UK for the benefit of the public and on a non-party political basis;
+ The promotion of efficient public administration of government and public service in the UK by providing programmes of education, training, research and study for the public benefit and on a non-party political basis.
International evidence – and the scale of the challenges facing Britain – mean that the UK minority government following the June 2017 general election was unlikely to last a full term, argued Professor Jonathan Boston of Victoria University in Wellington in this guest blog.

Source Link Link to Main Source https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/blog/assessing-durability-conservative-minority-government
Related Links
ESO: Background information: UK election hangs in balance on disastrous night for May http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-election-hangs-in-balance-on-disastrous-night-for-may/
Blog: UCL: The Constitution Unit, 02.08.17: Assessing the durability of the Conservative minority government: lessons from New Zealand https://constitution-unit.com/2017/08/02/assessing-the-durability-of-the-conservative-minority-government-lessons-from-new-zealand/

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