What is a coalition government?
A coalition government is when two or more political parties agree to govern together, sharing ministerial jobs and a joint programme. It usually happens when no single party wins a majority. The UK's most recent Westminster coalition was between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats from 2010 to 2015.
Under first past the post, one party usually wins a majority of seats, so coalitions are rare at Westminster. After the 2010 election produced a hung parliament, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats negotiated for five days. They agreed a programme for government, and the Lib Dem leader became Deputy Prime Minister. The coalition lasted a full five-year term. Cabinet jobs were shared.
Coalitions are common in countries with proportional voting, such as Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland. They are also familiar in devolved government. Scotland had Labour and Lib Dem coalitions from 1999 to 2007, and Wales has had several coalitions and cooperation deals. Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive is a mandatory coalition between the largest unionist and nationalist parties. They often need weeks of talks.
Supporters say coalitions represent a wider share of voters and encourage compromise. Critics say they blur accountability, because voters cannot be sure which promises will survive negotiations. The Liberal Democrats lost heavily in 2015, partly after accepting higher tuition fees as part of the coalition deal. Since 2015 no Westminster coalition has formed, though hung parliaments have occurred, most recently in 2017.
Britain is split. Now you decide.
In WeDecide you can try the seat calculator to see how often coalitions would be needed under different voting systems.
Play WeDecide freeCommon questions
When was the last UK coalition government?
From 2010 to 2015, between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
What is the difference between a coalition and confidence and supply?
In a coalition both parties have ministers, while confidence and supply is a looser voting agreement.
Why are coalitions rare in the UK?
First past the post usually gives one party a majority of seats.
What is a coalition?
Two or more parties governing together and sharing ministerial jobs. A coalition is two or more parties governing together with a joint programme.
Which parties formed the 2010 to 2015 coalition?
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. The 2010 to 2015 government was a Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition.